As disciple-makers, we can’t be parked in intellectual neutral as we engage teens relationally. For the student who needs popular level intellectual engagement, we must be ready to walk beside them to unpack the works of Christian thought leaders like Lee Strobel, Sean McDowell, Rosaria Butterfield or Nabeel Qureshi. To dig deeper, turn to thinkers like N.T. Wright, Francis Collins, Nancy Pearcey or William Lane Craig.
Introduce young people to robust thinkers who will help them process through challenging questions. If we don’t engage them, where will they turn? You have the influence and capacity to walk beside them as someone who loves them. The combination of your relationship and robust thinking may be the difference maker.
Let’s move to a model of increased belonging. A model where it’s not about entertaining, but about being a relational disciple-maker who helps kids navigate a changing world. These kids will lead the culture and church of 2050, where the church will likely be increasingly marginalized. Will they be adequately prepared?
