Keys to Family Happiness/When Your Adolescent Questions Your Faith

As they  mature, many youths choose to adopt the religion of Their parents.  (2 Timothy 3:14)  Some, however, do not.  What can you do if your growing child starts to question your faith? This article will discuss how Jehovah's Witnesses handle such a challenge.

"I don't want to follow my parent' religion anymore. I just feel like giving up."-Cora 18.

YOU are convinced that your religion teaching the truth about God.  You believe that the Bible promotes the best way of life. It is only natural, then, that you try to instill your values in your child. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) But what if, as he grows, your child loses interest in spiritual things? What if he begins questioning the very faith that he seemed to accept eagerly as a child? - GALATIANS 5:7.

If that is happening, do not conclude that you have failed as a Christian  parent. Other factors may be involved, as we will see.  However, know this: How you handle your adolescent's questioning may well determine whether he will choose to draw closer to your faith or pull farther away from it.  If you declare war with your adolescent, over this issue, you are in fora strenuous battle-A battle that you are almost certain to lose. -COLOSSIANS 3:21.

It is far better that you heed the admonition of the apostle Paul.  "A slave of the Lord does not need to fight," He wrote, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained." (Timothy 2:24)  How can you show yourself  "qualified to teach" if your adolescent questions your faith?

Next time: When  Your Adolescent Questions Your Faith - Deceived?

From the jw.org publications