Can't force faith on them

3w ago1 min read

This has been tough for me to accept but my teenage son is questioning everything about Christianity right now. I want to drag him to youth group and make him read his Bible but I know that's not how it works. My dad did that to me and I just resented it. So I'm trying to model it instead, living it out, answering his questions honestly even when they're hard, inviting him without demanding. It's harder than just laying down the law but I think this is the way. Just wanted to vent that I'm struggling with this.

9 comments225 views

Comments(9)

MMichaelRegular2w ago

This is tough but you're handling it right. I've got two kids with different beliefs now and that was hard to swallow. But forcing it just pushes them away. Let him ask his questions and be there with him.

KKyleRegular2w ago

You can't force faith on anybody, teenagers especially. What you can do is live yours authentically and be there if he wants to talk about it. The rest has to be his journey.

JJasonRegular2w ago

This is a tough pill but you're handling it right by accepting it instead of forcing it. My oldest questioned everything around that age too. Turns out having space to figure it out made him more thoughtful about faith.

DDerek M.Regular2w ago

This is hard but you're handling it right. My oldest is going through the same thing and it's been a journey for both of us. The key is staying in relationship with him while he figures it out. Questions are good.

CChrisRegular2w ago

Hard thing to accept but honestly shows you're a good parent. Letting your kid think for himself instead of demanding they believe what you believe takes real maturity.

CChrisRegular2w ago

I grew up having faith forced on me and I resented it. The fact that you're letting him question and explore without shutting him down? That's parenting done right.

MMike R.Regular2w ago

Teenage years are when kids start thinking for themselves. That's actually a sign you raised him to think critically, even if it's uncomfortable. How old is he?

JJasonRegular2w ago

My son went through a similar phase. The best thing I did was stop trying to convince him and just answered his questions honestly. He came back around when he realized I still respected him either way.

BBrett M.New Dad2w ago

Hard to accept but this is actually you being a good dad. Forcing faith usually backfires. Being a person of faith who listens and doesn't judge is way more powerful.