Battling Kids’ Doubt with Them
Doubt is Prevalent Among Youth
In today’s fast-paced world, doubt has become a defining challenge for many young people. As they navigate rapidly changing cultural landscapes, they question their beliefs, values, and identity more than ever. This isn’t just a small group of teens struggling privately; it’s a widespread issue that touches almost everyone. According to research from the Barna Group, more than half of teens and young adults experience doubt about their religious beliefs, with 12% admitting they deal with doubts frequently.
Why is this happening? Dr. Kathy explains, “Young people today are inundated with information from countless sources—social media, friends, the internet. They’re constantly bombarded with conflicting messages about what’s true and what’s not. This overload of information creates confusion, leading them to question not just what they believe, but why they believe it.” Unlike previous generations, who may have wrestled with their faith privately, today’s youth are public about their doubts. This openness often stems from a culture that embraces questioning everything. While asking questions can be healthy, it can also lead to insecurity about beliefs that were once held as foundational.
One of the biggest challenges these young people face is reconciling their faith with the harsh realities they see around them. “They’re asking tough questions,” Dr. Kathy says. “‘Why does suffering exist?’ ‘How can a good God allow bad things to happen?’ These aren’t easy questions to answer, and doubt creeps in when they don’t find satisfying responses. But it’s important to remember that doubt isn’t a failure. It’s an opportunity for growth.”
Creating a Safe Space for Doubt
According to Dr. Kathy, the key to helping young people navigate their doubts is to create environments where they feel safe expressing themselves. “Jesus was patient with people who doubted. Think about Thomas—he wanted proof of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus didn’t shame him for that; He invited Thomas to come closer, to touch and see for himself. We can learn from this by welcoming our kids’ doubts, not dismissing them or brushing them off.”
Doubt, when handled with care, can lead to deeper faith. When teens feel they can ask hard questions and wrestle through their doubts with trusted adults, they understand that faith isn’t about having all the answers. “It’s about trusting in the One who does,” Dr. Kathy explains. “Our job is to walk with them through their questions and point them back to God’s truth.”
This journey isn’t easy, but Dr. Kathy believes it’s essential for fostering a resilient faith. “When we let young people struggle through their doubts in a supportive environment, they come out stronger on the other side. They aren’t just repeating what they’ve heard in church or from their parents—they’ve internalized their beliefs. They own their faith.”
Doubt Fuels Distrust in Institutions
Doubt doesn’t just affect young people’s faith; it can spill over into a broader skepticism toward institutions like the church, schools, and even the government. Dr. Kathy explains, “When teens see institutions failing or presenting conflicting messages, they start to doubt everything. They might question, ‘If I can’t trust the people leading these organizations, how can I trust anything they say about faith, morality, or life?’”
In many cases, young people are witnessing institutions that have disappointed them. Whether it’s political corruption, educational failures, or church scandals, these events fuel their skepticism. However, Dr. Kathy sees this as another opportunity for the church to step in. “The church has a chance to be different. We can be a place where young people’s doubts are taken seriously, where they can come with their tough questions and know they’ll be met with grace and truth.”
Proclaim Truth with Love
Dr. Kathy gives a call to proclaim truth while offering compassion. “We need to be honest with young people about what the Bible says, but we must do it in love,” she advises. “We don’t want to come across as judgmental or dismissive. They need to hear that it’s okay to have doubts. It’s okay to ask tough questions.”
Dr. Kathy believes that young people crave truth presented with love. “They’re looking for something real. They don’t want sugar-coated answers or overly simplistic explanations. They want to know that their faith can stand up to scrutiny.” When the church and families approach doubt with compassion and clarity, it opens the door for young people to explore their faith deeply and personally.
Embracing Doubt as a Path to Growth
Dr. Kathy encourages parents, mentors, and faith communities to see doubt not as a threat but as an opportunity for growth. “When young people question their faith, it’s a sign that they care enough to wrestle with the tough stuff. That’s a good thing. It means they’re thinking deeply, and we can help them find their way to a stronger, more personal faith.”
In today’s world, where doubt is so prevalent, don’t fear it—embrace it. Create spaces for open dialogue, walk with young people through their questions, and remind them that God is big enough for all of their doubts. “It’s through these moments of uncertainty that their faith will become truly their own,” Dr. Kathy concludes. “And that’s the kind of faith that will carry them through life’s challenges.”