It won’t work to send a family devotional home with a student whose family is faith averse.
Or maybe it will.
Recently I attended an adult small group Bible study. Because it was the first gathering, we took a few minutes to share about jobs, families and our faith journeys. As we finished sharing, I was struck by how many couples in this group had come to know Jesus through their kids. One dad spoke about watching his high school son take his faith seriously, causing him to ramp up his own walk with God. A mom spoke about her daughter hosting a Bible study in their basement. Although spiritually apathetic at the time, she would leave the basement door open to hear the Bible study discussion taking place.
The Text
These scenes could be playing out in your teens’ homes now. Below are three passages, each providing a unique perspective that could be useful in ministering to a non-supportive home environment. As you read these passages, let God’s Spirit use these verses to teach you how to minister to teens and their families who are not supportive of the Christian faith.
Acts 16:11-15
2 Timothy 3:14-16
Acts 4:13
Think About It
What do these passages teach us about encouraging a teen whose family is faith averse?
Acts 16 doesn’t give much detail about Lydia’s family. We do know Lydia was a successful business person and was likely a Greek who had converted to Judaism. Her salvation experience was so infectious it apparently impacted her entire household.
In 2 Timothy 3, we learn the Holy Scripture, no matter our age, is able to make us wise for salvation. Further, we never should underestimate the outreach capabilities of good Bible study.
In Acts 4, Peter and John were facing the very people who had Jesus crucified (talk about a group antagonistic toward the Christian faith!), but not only did those intimidating Jewish leaders have no impact on Peter and John, Peter and John impacted those leader! They were astonished at the courage of these unschooled, ordinary men.
Apply It
When we put it all together, we get at least three possible takeaways.
1. Understand the Gospel: The message of the gospel is powerful and transformative. We can exhibit trust in that by helping teens better understand what Jesus did for them. Their gratitude will impact their families, perhaps entire households.
2. Engage in Scripture: Effective Bible study infuses believers with wisdom and grace, helping them live (and explain) their salvation in a way that causes others to want what they have. Equipped teens in a nonbelieving home eventually produce fruit.
3. Grow in Courage: Peter and John’s courage was so bold there was no mistaking the fact these men had been with Jesus. When we allow teens to experience the Presence of Jesus, they can’t help but emerge with a courage that is resolute and infectious.
Youth ministry’s best ministry to families may not be helping parents understand teens, but helping teens minister to parents. A spiritually engaged and courageous teen may be the best family devotional you could give to a home.
Barry Shafer has been in youth ministry more than 25 years and is director of InWord Resources. He is the author of Unleashing God’s Word in Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties/Zondervan) and has written many small group Bible studies for teens. He lives in Middletown, Ohio, with his wife, Jessica, and their infant son, Reade.
