What keeps people from becoming Christians? Many Christian teens that grew up in Christian households may not understand why others are so negative about Christianity. Even teens that have just become Christians may not understand what took them so long. However, there are several barriers to belief that can get in the way of people becoming Christians. Knowing those roadblocks can make it easier to talk to other people about your faith and be a good witness:
1. Misconceptions of Christianity
Some people see Christianity as having too many limits and don't see that Christian teens actually have a lot of fun. They don't want to give up their freedom to sin, because it is often fun in the moment. They feel that if they become Christians they will lose their individuality, adventure,
fun, hopes, or any fulfillment. Instead, show how how much fun and satisfaction actually come with faith. There is more freedom in God than in the World. Offer a message of hope rather than condemnation.
2. Misconceptions About God's Nature
God's nature often comes under debate. There are some Christian teens that only witness with a message of "fire and brimstone." Those messages create a vision that God is the "mean" boss. Many teens see God as someone who is old, demanding, or unrealistic. They feel that there is no way to ever live up to his expectations, so why bother. It is important to share how loving and understanding God actually is and how much His Love has meant to you. 3. Control Issues
While some teens think that God is a mean and demanding God, others just cannot seem to give up the control over their own lives. They hold onto their own mind and decision-making ability and think that they will lose far more than they could ever gain. They have issues about turning their lives over what they cannot see. Be patient and talk about giving one thing at a time over to the Lord. God is understands how each person is different and He is a patient God.
4. Religion vs. Logic
There are a lot of people who have the misconception that science and logic do not fit with Christianity. They think that the two are on opposite spectrums. However, Christianity is very logical, and many of the world's greatest scientists are Christian men and women. There are even magazines devoted to Biblical archaeology. There is a historical accuracy of the Bible. 5. Moral Objections
While many Christian teens find a moral base in the Bible, others find moral objections in the Book. Most moral objections come from the Old Testament which has a higher focus on patriarchal viewpoints, war, and animal sacrifice. Yet Jesus came to preach a message of love. Others have issues with turning away from sinful behavior and hold on tightly to their current lifestyle. They do not want to look at their sinful nature or accept that their behavior is actually sinful. Again, Jesus came out of love for us all and died for our sins. We are all sinners, and God loves us anyhow.
