As parents of 3 teenaged boys who are all approaching young adulthood, my wife and I have become acutely aware of how difficult it can be for younger generations to navigate cultural challenges as followers of Jesus. It seems like there are new ideas and opinions that are contrary to God’s Word on a weekly basis, and our children can be left with more questions than answers if we don’t consistently and confidently point them back to the truth.
While we don’t have it all figured out, these are some principles that have been beneficial for us in helping our own children navigate a variety of cultural challenges. My hope is that they will be helpful to you as well.
Resist the temptation to provide an immediate response if you don’t feel adequately prepared to do so.
When your kids come to you with questions, it can be easy to feel like you should already have the answers. Being transparent with your children and letting them know that you want to respond from a place of wisdom and knowledge helps to build trust and keeps the conversation going over a longer period of time.
James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (NLT). Later in that same chapter we read, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19 NLT). Both of these verses help us to see that a slower, well-reasoned, godly response is far more beneficial than an immediate answer based on our own emotions or limited understanding.
Don’t rely solely on your own knowledge as the basis of your response.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 NLT). No matter how knowledgeable, how educated, or how experienced we become, there will always be room to learn and grow. Assuming that we already know everything we need to effectively respond to any challenge without seeking God’s wisdom first inevitably leads us to provide an incomplete and possibly incorrect answer.
Seek answers from scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (NLT). An earnest and honest search of Scripture is the most important step to take in forming a godly response to these types of challenges. As we ask the Lord for wisdom, we can also trust His Spirit to lead us to the truth (see John 16:33 NLT).
Pray about your response and pray for your children before you give an answer.
Philippians 4:6-7 says “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT). While the pressure to respond in a way that honors God and leads your children well can seem overwhelming, God knows what you need and will be faithful to provide. Putting our focus on Jesus helps us to respond with clarity and peace that transcends our circumstances.
Remember that we are not just followers of Jesus, we’re also ambassadors.
Your relationship with God is not just for your own benefit. Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT). Paul echoed this command when he wrote, “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT).
As a parent who has already had to navigate some of these challenges with his own children, I know how hard this can be. It’s worth the hard work and every difficult conversation to help your children stand strong in their own faith and move closer to Jesus—and it also helps them to inspire others to do the same.
A prayer for God to guide you and your children
Heavenly Father, You know the challenges we are faced with and we need your wisdom to respond. Guide us through these difficult times and guard our hearts with your peace. Lead us to the truth so we can help lead others to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Further Reading: 5 Essential Keys for Effective Parenting
