UNLEASH YOUR FAITH
How a New Christian Teen Can Unleash Their New Faith
As a new Christian teen, you’re at the beginning of an amazing journey. Your new faith is not just about avoiding bad things, but about experiencing a real and radical change from the inside out. Unleashing your faith means actively engaging with God and letting that relationship transform every part of your life. This isn’t about being a “good kid” but about becoming more and more like Christ.
Here’s how you can take hold of your faith and see it grow in powerful ways.
1. Build a personal relationship with God
Faith isn’t just something your parents believe; it’s a personal relationship you actively develop.
Pray conversationally. Prayer isn’t a list of demands but a conversation with God. Talk to Him throughout the day—in the car, between classes, or when you feel anxious. Be honest and vulnerable with your thoughts and struggles.
Devour the Bible. God speaks to us through His Word. Read it daily and ask Him to show you life-changing truths. A study Bible with notes or a Bible app with reading plans can help you understand what you’re reading.
Ask questions. It’s normal to have doubts and hard questions as your faith grows. Find a safe space to discuss them with trusted mentors or in your youth group. Remember that wrestling with questions can deepen your faith, not weaken it. Remember, no question is a bad or stupid one. It is one that is very important to you. Ask it.
2. Connect with your Christian community
Surrounding yourself with other believers is crucial for encouragement, growth, and accountability.
Join a youth group if possible. A youth group is a place where you can find friends who share your beliefs and can support you through life’s challenges. These groups are designed to help you grow alongside your peers. If you can’t find one, start one yourself.
Build intentional friendships. Don’t just show up to youth group and leave. Anyone can sit in a chair and be invisible if they don’t participate. Get to know others by arriving early or staying late. Ask a few people to grab a meal after church or invite them to hang out. Friendship is a two-way street.
Share your burdens. When you’re struggling with temptation, loneliness, or doubt, share your burdens with other trustworthy believers. God designed us for community, and sharing your struggles keeps you from feeling isolated.
3. Embrace a Christ-like character
Genuine faith will start to change your actions and attitude, even when no one is watching.
Practice forgiveness. High school can be full of drama and gossip. As a Christian, you can make a huge impact by being quick to forgive when someone wrongs you. This reflects the immense forgiveness Christ has shown you.
Don’t be a people-pleaser. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be kind to others. It means doing what is right in God’s eyes, not just to get approval from your peers. Your identity is rooted in Christ, not in how popular you are.
Use your talents for Him. God has given you unique gifts, talents, and resources. Use them to love God, love others, and serve the world around you. This could be through art, sports, a school club, or simply being a kind friend to someone who is hurting.
4. Be a light in your world
Your faith is not meant to be hidden. You can be a witness for Christ by simply living and talking openly about His love.
Make faith a normal topic of conversation. You don’t have to preach to your friends. When they ask about your weekend, talk about what you learned at church or how you felt emotionally. This keeps faith a normal and authentic part of who you are.
Be a respectful witness. When friends have questions about your beliefs, listen attentively and respond with gentleness and respect, not with arguments. You might not be the person who brings them to God, but you can be the first step in their journey. You don’t want to win an argument, just a friend.
Let your actions speak. Your friends are watching your actions and your intentions. Your honesty, kindness, and positive attitude are powerful testaments to your faith. When you live a life that glorifies God, it will have an eternal impact on those around you.
Unleashing your faith as a teen isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily and intentional journey. As you pursue God, connect with others, and live a life that reflects His love, you will grow in ways you never thought possible.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
5. Bible reading plans.
If you are looking to develop a consistent habit of Bible reading, there are many excellent plans available that vary in length, format, and complexity. The best plan depends on your personal preference and goals, such as reading the entire Bible in a year or focusing on specific topics.
6. Chronological plans
These plans arrange Bible passages in the order that events occurred historically, which can help readers grasp the Bible as a single, unfolding story. Click HERE for our plan.
The Bible Overview is a great plan for teens who want the “big picture” of the Bible. It compiles the Bible’s narrative into 31 chapters, presenting God’s story as a continuous narrative rather than a collection of separate stories. You can read it HERE.
7. Topical and short-term plans
For those who want to focus on specific issues or prefer a shorter, more flexible reading schedule, topical plans are an excellent choice. You can find our 7-Day Reading Plan HERE.
Summer Bible Reading Plan for Teens: Some ministries offer specific plans designed for summer breaks. These are often a good option for teens who may not want to commit to a full-year plan.
8. Journaling plans
These plans focus on interactive engagement and personal application rather than just reading through the text.
SOAP Method: A simple and effective journaling method for any passage of scripture.
Scripture: Write down the verse or passage that stands out to you.
Observation: What do you observe about the text? What stands out?
Application: How can you apply this truth to your own life?
Prayer: Write a prayer to God based on what you have learned.
9. New Testament plans
Starting with the New Testament is a great way for new believers to focus on the life of Jesus and the early Church before tackling the longer, and sometimes more difficult, Old Testament.
Try reading The Book of James, Proverbs and Psalms first, because these will give you a better understand of how to live a better and more fulfilling life.
To get started, simply choose a plan that interests you and commit to a consistent time each day to read and engage with God’s Word. It’s not that hard… Just Do It.
As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18:30
H John & Jean
Our Divided World Ministry
john@ourdividedworld.com
jean@ourdividedworld.com
https://ourdividedworld.com
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