By Kelly Cilano

What gives you the right to judge? Why is your way better?

And, in the great scheme of life, just how do you know that your way is the right way?

Just who do you think you are, anyway?

Ever been asked these questions when it comes to your Christian faith? Most Christians try to back off with an apology for some imagined offense – or worse yet, slink off in silent defeat.

Many Christians – and yes, that means Sunday-Wednesday-Sunday school Christians – cannot defend their faith effectively, or stand up to an atheistic bully, loud-mouth sinner, or obnoxious heckler.

I’m talking about adults, here – let alone our teens and young adults.

We know what a Christian looks like and what they should think like and what they ideally should act like. Yet we don’t really know our faith well enough to be able to fight back under pressure.

Many right here in our fellowship hear great sermons three to four times a week and still really don’t or can’t answer questions regarding the fundamental truths of their faith.

I’m not fault finding. My point is preparation. This world is changing and people are very hungry for the Gospel. No, they don’t want a sermon; but yes, they do want what is real and what works. Touchy-feely gospel really doesn’t meet the need of what people need to know and why. 

Teens and young adults have a huge harvest field in front of them simply because these people are actively searching for truth – some kind of truth that will set them free. We must show them the only truth that will set them free: Jesus, the way, the truth and the life (John 8:32).

Young people are often faulted for being selfish. But honestly, that’s the time that God set aside for self.  Once you marry, get older, have children and become part of the adult rat race, there isn’t a whole lot of time to be self-concentrated.

Single young adulthood is the time when you make decisions about who you’re going to be. Not that you shouldn’t keep growing later, but this time is very different than any other time in your life.

And godly counsel is the best thing you can give to a searching soul. Yet you really can’t give that if you aren’t sure why you speak in tongues, and what the big deal is about the virgin birth, the Trinity, the resurrection of Christ, or the reliability of the Bible.

Can you answer these questions with authority?

Because, mark it down: you will be challenged on this and more in the classes you take at school; by your friends and acquaintances, and those you are influencing right now and maybe don’t even realize it.

In schools it is not uncommon to find debate teams; this is something that should be utilized as an activity in youth groups that are old enough to engage in them. It may not be as fun as some other activities at first, but everyone learns from this experience regardless of the side or position they play on their team.

Many Bibles have handy guides in the back that might help you organize what you need. It is important that you understand the fundamentals of your faith. Construct your own “quick facts” so that you can remember, and speak with confidence when challenged.

An easy way for many people to learn to be more open and assured when speaking about their faith is to make something little that they can carry in their backpack, wallet, purse, or wherever it can be accessed most readily.

Memorizing scripture is a huge help in defending your faith – even though “tough” critics try to dismiss this because they don’t believe in the validity of the Bible, which in itself is not a credible point.

You might very simply point out to these people that until the invention of the microscope, the medical field did not believe in germs. Regardless, that didn’t make germs any less deadly.

You aren’t going to be able to answer everything, and don’t be afraid to say that.

Just share your testimony, which showcases the power of God to change lives. Remember, your testimony is not only valid; it is something you are an authority on.

And it is powerful! Revelation 12:11 says: “And they over came him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

For most of us who are busy adults, it’s simply a time thing.

Even when we read the Word and pray, our mind can wander onto the day’s activities, and before we know it the allotted time has passed and we are up and running.

We are so divided (but we call it multi-tasking), that we often don’t catch it unless something sparks our memory: Oh, yeah! I read something about that in Isaiah…

Or, worse: it gets stashed in that lost bin in our minds.

Failure to focus in the present is a huge issue when it comes to learning. Another problem is not using the information in a vital way. Taking notes as you read is a great way to begin to activate the focus button. It also helps you to listen more accurately and gives you material for later review in a morning study.

This will serve not only to jog your memory of the sermon, but it will also remind you of what God was saying to you in particular. You’ve probably had conversations with your friends and found that you each heard different points that particularly stood out to you, although you were listening to the same message.

When you take notes, it also helps you be an active listener, which will help when you are challenged about any subject. Organizing what you are listening to on paper helps you to more clearly understand your subject and predict where the speaker is going.

It also helps you save face when someone asks you about the sermon, as it really does help you to recall the message more effectively.

I am the first to admit I can’t be an expert on everything. So I have to rely on others for their expertise in the different areas of life that are important.

When I’m confused about something I read in the Bible, I go to my pastor. If I’m unsure of how to handle a situation I go to my pastor.

Am I a pain? Probably. In fact, if you were to talk to some of my earlier pastors they would tell you I was a royal pain every time I was in church. What with all my questions, issues, and early Christian adjustments, I’m sure I drove them to prayer regularly.

Just the same, my point is this: I relied on these experts for answers, and those answers helped me to face my challenges effectively.

It is important that every one of us as believers in Christ become apologetically prepared. We are admonished in II Timothy 2:15: “Study to show yourself approved to God.”

We aren’t all called to be pastors, but we are called to a purpose: to a destiny as a kingdom representative, and we need to take that seriously.

We won’t necessarily have all the answers, but with God’s help we can prepare ourselves to provide the ones that really make a difference.