Dealing With a Generation in Pain - Part 1

When we begin the process of sharing our faith with the next generation, one of the first obstacles we will encounter will be the deep pain young people have observed in the world around them and experienced in their own lives. They want to know why God allows all this pain if He is so loving, kind, and powerful. They want to know why God does not use His power to stop all the pain. They frequently ask, “If God really loves us so much and has so much power, then why do bad things keep happening to us?” This question has been asked countless times by both adults and young people through all generations, but it is particularly being asked by postmodernists. Because we who are Christians have probably asked this question ourselves on more than one occasion, we can relate when young people express their struggles through this question. It is not an easy question; there are no easy answers. Trite phrases and platitudes will not suffice. Our response should include great gentleness and wisdom because the pain of the next generation is a significant issue.

Over the next couple of weeks I will explore this issue on the blog and invite your comments and interactions on this subject.

Adapted from Dr. Dorsett’s book, Mission Possible: Reaching the Next Generation through the Small Church, published by CrossBooks, a division of Lifeway Christian Resources.