What Do I Do? My Child is Questioning Their Christian Faith

If you are a Christian parent with the desire to see your kids grow into bold Jesus followers, a child sharing that they have questions about their faith may seem like the worst case scenario. What can parents do when they have a child questioning their Christian faith?

Don’t assume the worst.

Questions are not necessarily bad. In fact, Jesus constantly used questions as he taught his disciples. Your child’s questions may not be a sign that they are losing their faith but rather care enough to make sure they know what they truly believe and why they believe it. Discussing questions is a great way for a faith to deepen and grow stronger. Make your home a safe place where your children can bring up their doubts and questions. Engage them and point them to God’s Word. If you don’t feel confident doing this, there is no shame in admitting that it’s time for you to get equipped as well.

Don’t fear tough questions.

God is not insecure. His Word will stand the test of time whether we believe it or not. Countless attacks have come against the Bible throughout the centuries and yet, it has withstood them all. For example, French philosopher, Voltaire, said, “One hundred years from my day, there will not be a Bible in the earth.” Less than 100 years after his death, Voltaire’s estate was used to distribute Bibles throughout Europe! C.H. Spurgeon said it well, “The Word of God is the anvil upon which the opinions of men are smashed.”

The Bible is a book like no other. It contains 66 individual books written over the course of 2000 years by people from all different walks of life, originally written in three different languages, yet with miraculous unity and devoid of contradictions. It contains the worldview that holds up under every scrutiny and continues to transform lives throughout the whole world. Not only that, but archaeological discoveries only continue to support the validity and reliability of this amazing book that is more than a book, it’s the inspired Word of God!

There are no new questions.

While the skeptical questions of our day may be packaged differently, they are the same attacks the Enemy has swirled around the world since the beginning. They are all forms of the original attack of Satan, the Father of Lies, the Deceiver, that Ancient Serpent: “Did God really say?” It can be scary to hear a deconstructed Christian or a Bible skeptic talk about their enlightened “wisdom” or “new understanding” of faith. But with some digging, it becomes clear that it’s the same package someone already used to attack the Bible, just wrapped up in new paper. While we don’t want to minimize the power of attacks on the authority of God and His Word, we can be sure they’ve been brought up before and other Christians have faced them and overcome. It’s so encouraging to know that God’s Word has been so highly scrutinized. It gives us confidence the Bible will continue to stand in the attacks of our present day!

Don’t be content to just answer their questions.

Take it a step further and use the questions to encourage your child’s confidence in God and His Word. There are so many fantastic apologetics resources that speak to the skeptical questions facing our young people today. YouTube channels like Expedition Bible walk through archaeological evidence that confirms the validity of the Bible. Ministries like Answers in Genesis tackle apologetics head on and offer countless resources to equip entire families to stand on the authority of Scripture. Voice of the Martyrs connects the Church to their persecuted brothers and sisters around the world and the life-changing transformation that comes through the power of God’s Word. Missionary stories open your eyes to God’s powerful work in the world as the gospel message has advanced throughout the centuries.

Be aware of your child’s influences.

Not all questions about faith come from a bad place or exposure to dangerous skeptics, but sometimes they do. Don’t be afraid to ask your child what led them to their questions and why they brought them up. It could be that a friend, social media acquaintance or influencer has exposed your child to a deluge of attacks on their Christian faith. These attacks can be incredibly shattering for a child or teen and promoted with such confidence that they can even shake a strong Christian. Be sure to discover the source of the questions and take any steps necessary to stop the flow of attacks on your child’s faith.

Praise God your child is coming to you with their questions.

Parents, there is no better place for them to bring their doubts and fears. Seek God’s wisdom in prayer and dive deep into God’s Word. Don’t be afraid to seek the counsel of a pastor or Christian mentor for encouragement during a time of questioning. But rest in the promise that God can and will work all things for the good of those who love Him.