It is not uncommon for teenagers to drift away or gain a disinterest in the teachings of the Bible, even if they grew up in church. During this time, teenagers try to figure out who they are and end up expressing themselves with either apathy or open rebellion. In some cases, it is not necessarily that they don’t believe in the Bible, but they feel like they know most everything there is to know regarding it.
Teenagers often feel like they know everything as they try to prove their independence, and growing up with the Bible can make one believe that there is nothing new to learn about the subject. Sunday school teaches most of the Bible stories from the sin of Adam and Eve to the betrayal of Judas. Kid’s church on Wednesday night makes sure every kid knows John 3:16 and the Ten Commandments, and the pastor covers either the wisdom of Proverbs or the end times in Revelation during his sermons.
Soon, it begins to feel like the same messages and lessons are being repeated with nothing new to offer, often causing some teens to become bored. This allows them to become detached and resistant to going to church and reading the Bible because “why would I go if I already know?”
Boredom presents an opportunity for us to find something new to occupy our minds, but we need to be careful with where we set our attention. The world often tries to allure us with its sinful living the second we become stagnant in our faith. However, for a young Christian that wishes to continue to follow Christ but cannot escape the indifferent attitude that follows, boredom can be a blessing in disguise if utilized the right way.
Because people who are bored try to set their attention on something, we should try to look for something new in the Bible to set our focus on. Looking for new stories or changing our perspective on old ones are two ways that can help us look at the Bible in a new light.
Churches often highlight some stories more than others in different parts of the Bible, making one think that those are the only stories in those chapters. If we don’t read for ourselves, we could miss many great stories such as Deborah and Barak in Judges, who are usually overshadowed by Gideon and Samson. There are also many stories in 1&2 Samuel that are missed because of the focus put on David’s victory over Goliath or his sin with Bathsheba. Every book in the Bible has an overlooked story or passage that we could learn from if we just looked past what are considered the main stories.
As stated before, some parts of the Bible are more well-known than others. These passages can still teach us if we try to look at them from a different perspective. One way to do that is by going back and reading it ourselves. If it happens that we continue to see the passage in the same way, it would be beneficial to talk to others who are also familiar with these stories. Some people draw different conclusions than others, and talking to them can open our eyes to something that we did not notice before.
While studying the Bible in new ways is a good technique for staying interested, teenagers are often looking for a more active approach to use their time when they become bored. Of course, an obvious solution is to become a member of a youth group. Being involved with kids of the same age and engaging in different activities together can inspire fellowship, and it is easier for teenagers to be more receptive to the gospel when the message is being directed toward their age group.
Sadly, not every church has a youth group for teenagers to attend. While some teenagers can choose to participate in another church’s youth activities, not everyone has that option. When that happens, one solution can be asking a pastor or another church leader about areas in the church that they might need help with.
Sadly, not every church has a youth group for teenagers to attend. While some teenagers can choose to participate in another church’s youth activities, not everyone has that option. When that happens, one solution can be asking a pastor or another church leader about areas in the church that they might need help with.
Another way to stay active is by taking a friend to spread the gospel to others. While it might not seem like an appealing option, talking about why you believe in your faith to a nonbeliever can help further root yourself in your faith. Sharing Christ with others can have a strong effect not only on those we share it with but also ourselves.
Boredom can be very dangerous, and it can be hard to find motivation when boredom occurs. It is important to remember that no matter how bored we get, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light (John 14:6). His Word is still true no matter what we may feel, and we should try our best to keep our eyes on Him when we become sluggish in our faith. Once we begin to see the results of our faith, whether it is with ourselves or others, we should keep that as a motivation to continue in God’s Word.
