Below are actual questions written down by high schoolers during the Questions Seminar at camp.
Some of your middle, high school, and college friends are likely asking similar questions.
Spend some time wrestling with these, listening to the Lord, and seeking wisdom from spiritually mature folks who can help you navigate these difficult conversations with your friends. Let’s also be praying for the Young Life staff around the world who are answering these questions at camps this very week.
Hard Questions
How are people without God in their life still living happy lives, sometimes even more happy than the Christians I know?
How do you know when God is speaking? How do I know it’s not the devil?
If God is all controlling, how could he not prevent the situation with the serpent in the garden?
Is it sinful to believe God out of fear and not out of love?
What do we do about people who say they are Christians, but their actions don’t match what they say they believe?
Just like the game “telephone,” how do we know the Bible is all true and not distorted?
Is insanity a demon inside or a simple mental disorder?
How should Christians view alcohol and drug use?
What does the Bible say about abortion?
What can I do to better understand the Bible?
What does God say about homosexuality? I know Christians are supposed to be against it, but I still want to support it, is that ok?
Did God really create the world in 7 days?
My grandpa died without knowing Jesus, but my dad said that if we pray for him, God will have mercy. I don’t know what to think about that.
Why is there so much violence done in God’s name in the OT?
So if we have free will, but in God’s eyes, we are all pre-destined already, what’s the point of evangelism?
What about all the old rules that talk about old, weird customs, like eating kosher?
Looking at how the Bible talks about women makes me feel like it’s outdated, is it?
What happens to people who don’t believe in God? Are there different layers to hell?
How do you validate the Bible? Do you follow it strictly or cherry-pick which parts to believe?
At what point should you not forgive someone?
What about people who have never heard abut God? Can they be saved?
How do you deal with doubt?
I know God commands people to obey parents, but my friends parents are Muslim, so what does he do if he wants to become a Christian?
Is any sin worse than others?
Is there an unforgivable sin? (Matthew 12:22-32)
When Jesus died on the cross, where did he go? to hell?
How do you know if you’ve really “felt God?”
Is there any way to lose salvation?
