God can be one of the greatest sources of comfort as we journey through life. Yet when it comes to teenagers, they may not be as devout in their faith.
Whether he’s rejecting his faith or curious about learning more, there are ways to help your teen son believe in God. Here we’ve laid out some simple, holistic approaches to support your teen son in his journey.
4 Ways to Help Your Teen Son Believe in God
1. Offer to Worship & Learn Together
You and your teen son may have hobbies or activities you enjoy doing together. Worship can be one of these activities. Whether it’s dinnertime prayers or attending a Sunday service, this can be a cooperative way to strengthen each other’s faith.
You can also make a point to be on a learning journey together. When you offer to learn about God side-by-side, you’re showing him it’s okay to make discoveries and explore information. This allows him to take an active role in his faith development.
Whether you read religious texts together or have in-depth discussions, be sure to create a safe, accepting environment that encourages learning about God. Give him the freedom to seek knowledge on his own and offer to be a part of his journey.
2. Encourage Curiosity
Teenagers will naturally question their inside and outside world, and this will include questions about God. It’s important to encourage your teen son’s curiosity and let him know there are no “wrong” questions. Questions mean he’s trying to understand something and form his own conclusions.
If he’s asking you questions, that means he feels safe and respected to do so, which is something everyone should feel when developing their faith. Encourage his ability to seek answers on his own and engage him in discussion when he’s open to it.
3. Share Your Personal Faith
You want your teen son to feel safe in expressing his thoughts and feelings. By being open with your beliefs in God, you’ll show him it’s okay to share as well.
Tell him about your personal journey and be transparent. Communicate about your past doubts and how you overcame them. Tell him about how you found evidence of God without being overbearing or authoritative. He may feel inspired by your story and be willing to share his own.
4. Join a Faith-Based Youth Group
Joining a faith-based youth group can be a dynamic way for your teen son to build his faith in God. Youth groups offer safe environments for teens to worship, learn and grow. They build community with volunteer work, fun activities and group discussions.
By being involved in a group, your son can develop his faith in a nurturing, accepting environment.
Learn About Lakeside’s Faith-Based Programs for Teen Boys
At Lakeside, we offer faith-based programming that focuses on community and self-advocacy to help your son grow and thrive. Whether your son needs help with addiction or mental health, our compassionate staff can help him succeed.
Call us today at 844-768-8336 or send us a message to learn more.