Questions From a 15 Year Old Teenager

 

Dear .......

I'm a teenager and I'm struggling with my faith. Here are a few questions I have:

1. How do I know if I'm really saved? (John 3:16)
2. How do I deal with temptation? (1 Corinthians 10:13)
3. How do I forgive someone who has hurt me? (Ephesians 4:32)
4. How do I know what God's will is for my life? (Jeremiah 29:11)
5. How do I stay strong in my faith when things are tough? (Romans 8:28)

I know these are big questions, but I'm really struggling. I want to have a strong relationship with God, but I don't know where to start.

Thank you for your help, A Concerned Teenager

Dear Concerned Teenager,

I'm glad you reached out. It's great that you're thinking about these important questions.

How do I know if I'm really saved?

The Bible tells us that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9). To be saved, we must confess our sins and repent, and we must believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the dead three days later. If we have done these things, we can be sure that we are saved.

How do I deal with temptation?

When we are tempted, we should pray and ask God for strength to resist. We should also avoid situations where we are likely to be tempted. For example, if you know that you are tempted to lie when you are nervous, try to avoid situations where you are likely to feel nervous.

How do I forgive someone who has hurt me?

Forgiveness is a command from God. It is not something that we feel like doing, but it is something that we must do in order to please God and to experience healing. When we forgive someone, we are not saying that what they did was okay. We are simply saying that we are releasing them from our bitterness and anger.

How do I know what God's will is for my life?

God's will for your life is good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:2). To know God's will, we need to spend time in prayer and Bible study. We also need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading.

How do I stay strong in my faith when things are tough?

When things are tough, it is important to remember that God is with you. He loves you and He will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). We can also stay strong in our faith by spending time with other believers, and by being involved in a church or small group.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely, Dear .....

P.S. Here are some additional Bible verses that may be helpful:

• "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
• "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)