ChristianAnswers

Q: I am a teen and am struggling with living the Christian way. My problem is staying in the Bible; having devotion and prayer time. I need helpful tips please!  A: Here are a few ideas!  Create a morning routine:  Set a daily alarm. Use an audio Bible for 15 min of time in the Word. You can listen to Scripture on the drive to school [car, shuttle, bus] and on way home. For many people that is 30 minutes one way! And that means you can hear the whole Bible in 40 to 80 days!  If bus doesnt really work cuz its only time you have to mingle w friends, then daily right after school when you get home... put books down, change, grab snack, open the Bible and read for 20 uninterrupted minutes. Think on what you read, pray. Close the book then do homework. If you have time before bed, pull out a couple verses from what you read today and read each one 5x. Then go to bed with scripture in you mind. Where to read:  Heres a bunch of great helps for new and growing believe...

Q: Hearing lots of bad stories about how people behave in "Christianity", from moral failures to character flaws to other stuff. Just heard a girl has been engaged to a "Christian" guy and they've been "living together" while engaged for 2 years. In the past he apparently raped her and she didnt press charges. She's delusional thinking he loves her and she has gotten so emotionally connected to him over this time that she can't see the red flags, and is not leaving him (so far). He has pressured her again recently to have sex before they get married. Shockingly he is apparently in a Christian music group, and still claims to be a "Christian".  Reasons like this have me contemplating leaving Christianity. A: The girl has clearly been a victim of grooming, manipulation and abuse. She was also encouraged to leave, have time to heal, and start with biblical counseling.  On your main issue here, your actual considering leaving ...

Q: I've really been struggling lately.  I’m homeschooled and have been since 6th grade, because public school was influencing me in the worst way possible.  My cousins were homeschooling, so I joined with them. I love my parents sacrificing so much to pay for the curriculum and making it work. However, I am now in 8th grade and next year I have the option to go back to public school, or stay where I’m at.  I'm really lost not sure what path to take.  I have grown so much in my faith, but also I’ve become really lonely since starting homeschool. 2-3 days a week we go to church but doesn’t seem to help much, and I’m afraid these lonely feelings have been leading towards depression, and feeling like I have nobody. I lay in bed, sad, most days. It’s really taken a toll on my mental health.  However, I’m learning way more than I ever did at public and the curriculum I’m doing is Christian based, and get to do a Bible study as part of my work. I know public school is...

Q: Is it a sin to move in with your Christian boyfriend > if you have separate rooms? Neither of us would choose this if we had other options. I don't really have anyone else to go. Shelters here are dangerous. I am in a small church, and it is temporary as we're both moving away for college soon. A: It is definitely not appropriate and is outside the will of God. Plus depending on the guy, can lead to him 1. Sexual sinful thoughts and 2. think he can slowly creeping up on you to do immoral things. No decent Christian bf would ever ask you to move in.  He would respect you and never even visit your home nor ask you over to his.    I say this because it isnt a proper Christian solution. And brings about appearance of evil, and can put you both in a situation where temptation of sexual immorality enters, and then is given in to. A lot goes into finding the right person to live with for life. God has been clear about relationships, we leave our parents to get marrie...

Q: I need prayer. I don’t really have people around me to pray for me. I need to make new friendships. My best friend (from middle school to mid high school years) has moved away, and ghosted me... so I have no body now. I’m lonely and don’t know what to do with myself 😞. The town I’m in is small and I have a reputation here, and not many people like me because of my past [before I became a Christian], so I just really want to find a small group of trustworthy friends. A: Small towns are hard. I grew up in one. There were not even really any neighbors around where I lived. The church I went to didnt really even have any other kids in my age range either. I pray that God brings older women at the church into your life to be brethren, sisters in Christ, and friends. And that you can connect with a youth group at a nearby church; find one that is biblical as close as possible. You might find a couple teens there who are happy to have another sister in Christ in their life. If not, lea...

Q: I am 16 and started my journey with Christ over the summer and got baptized. But, I haven’t been feeling close to God lately, and I keep messing up 😔. I’ve also tried to fast, but still ended it up eating. A: One of the most important ways to stay close to God is by hearing from him, this is done by reading the Bible. God speaks to us thru the Scriptures and we speak to him through prayer. Our daily walk and growth as a Christian happens over time. It is part of what is called the Sanctification process. Here God matures us in the faith, we learn and obey and become more and more like Christ as we live the holy, godly, righteous life. Fasting is usually used to help bring us in alignment with God's Will by seeking direction from God that is biblically based. If after praying, studying Scripture on a topic we do not feel God has given us a direction to go, we can fast and continue to look for his guidance. *Get input from your pastor on this area to ensure you are doing it ...

 Q: I am having a hard time and considering suicide, is there any hope?  A: I am sorry to hear you are experiencing a tough time right now. I hope the below helps you.  The living God wants life for his creatures. He created us to have a relationship with him and with other humans. Life has difficult and distressing circumstances. We live in a fallen sin stained world , and so it is understandable if we have troubles or despair sometimes, but God is with us and will lead us through it, and even find the time [going through this] actually helped strengthened our faith once we get through the situation.  1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." In Ecclesiastes, God asks, “Why should you die before your time?” (7:17). God has grace to h...

Q: I'm talking to a guy friend who is a Marine. We met and talked a year ago, but for 3 weeks now have currently been talking again. I am 19 and Hes 23. [We had lost touch, but recently reconnected]. We have had  some serious conversations, and he asked me to be his girlfriend. During the serious talks he said he used to drink back when he was deployed overseas, but he quit his drinking habit because it was addicting, and the troops he hung around were bad influences.  We havent talked for a few days because he was gone for a drill. But, somehow it seems things things are  different. He says he is a man of God and he respects the things I ask. He says he is saved as well. I recently got saved last Sunday 😊🎉. But I worry and stress this relationship will be the same as other ones I've been in. They were abusive and not healthy. I obsess over the smallest things and stress when things change.  I just want to know any good godly advice. A: You are at a young age, b...

Q: Is anyone else finding people being extremely rude? I am only trying to share truth, and be loving, and help others, but I don't think I can do that, with how rude people have been...☹️ A: We love God because we know him, because He saved us.  But, The World hates truth and Jesus. They love sin because all they know in life is only lived "in their sin nature". If they grasped or understood the truth, they wouldn not think, speak and react in opposition (sometimes angrily) how they do - they would love Jesus. But without the new righteous nature recieve at salvation...they can't. So we need to be loving, patient, kind and helpful. Genuinely care, but move on if they are not interested. We can at least leave a tract with them and say "Well thanks a million for chatting with me. Have a great day." Plant a seed, or water truth, and move on. Occassionally we might get to witness someone coming to salvation 🎉...praise God when it happens, knowing t...

Q: is it a sin to make out with your boyfriend if you have no sexual intentions? I'm just wondering because me and him have both been taught that it isnt a sin in our church but google says otherwise. - teen Google is not the Bible, but at least your tried to seek godly counsel. I dont know if that was from your pastor or given as flippant advice by a false convert in your church, but I am glad you still pursued godly advice.... Kissing is wrong bcuz it leads to thoughts & passions and... even if not for you, it causes "him" to have sexual thoughts and desires since men are designed/wired differently. And if he is moving in the direction of kissing or making out, his inner intentions are to take your virginity and have sex.  Jews and Christians in Bible times never dated, never kissed nor did immoral things like people today do. Their parents helped find a suitable life partner, today that still happens and courting (with guardians and guards in place) towards findi...

Q:  I’m reading the book of Psalm on my phone and reading a different book in Scripture in my physical Bible. Is that okay? A: Sure. Some people read 1 part in the Bible (like if they read Genesis to Revelation, they might be reading in John right now), but also read 1 chapter in Psalm and 1 in Proverbs [all during morning quiet time reading].  Others read 1 chapter OT, 1 Ch NT , but also read 1 chapter in Psalm and 1 in Proverbs.  If you read some of one and sone of another (between home and out & when about) thats fine too.  Depends on the reading plan you choose. Or if you think of reading Scripture (say...) while waiting in line at the bank, or are at the park, or waiting for a friend to meet you, or you are waiting to give them a ride home, etc. Reading anytime is a good time.  I read only 1 place where I am at because reading multiple in 1 sitting mixes me up. But I could read NT at night, Psalm and Proverbs at lunch, and OT during morning ...

Why do I keep sinning?? Q: I suffer from being stuck in cycles. Just when I think I've conquered my flesh, my desires lure me back in. and I keep on doing it again and again. I know that the devil learns from my mistakes and do beg God for forgiveness & I just feel like He's tired of me. I feel he thinks that my praise and repentance are useless. I feel like the harder I try, the harder the devil and flesh fight against me. I really need help, I need guidance. A:  You are not alone. Paul even spoke about this. He felt wretched.  Romans 7:15.  For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. The Christian life is one of sanctification , we grow in faith, and apply what we learn. We actively fight and war against sin, so we conquer and have victory over it. By the Holy Spirit, & new righteous nature empowered by Him, we can thru self control and maturing in the faith defeat...

How do you deal with God blessing someone (abundantly) while it seems you're stagnant? I'm not taking it well. I had a job dream, I also worked hard, why did I get a no and she got a yes, even on first try?  Do you ever just feel like God has favourites?... :/ A:  1.God does not play a favorites game. That is what fallen sinful people do. Romans 2:11: For there is no partiality with God. 2. Not sure if this is a work related complaint of discontent And ungratefullness, But God puts us in our work place & in our job primarily to earn money to support our basic needs. He blessed you with that job.  Secondarily but equally as important he put you there as a mission field. Your job is to find opportunities to share the Gospel there. But you also need to read and know the Bible to do that, bcuz without the knowledge of the Word you cannot provide answers from the authority on truth; God's Word. You need to grow in that area as well. Perhaps God has plans to put you in many...

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Q: I have a 10 year old and a 12 year old  I would like to know if there any proper way to teach children how to pray and talk to God? A: Yes.  Also...Theres helps in here on how to make prayer a regular part of your daily life, which brings them into praying with you.  Modeling is one way. Other ways are when they ask questions ask them to ask Jesus and look for God's counsel on the matter; answer, in the Word.(really helpful when you really don’t know the answer or how to answer - also not a cop out) When they complain or have emotions they go through or scared, etc. get them to tell Jesus about it & look up what the Bible says on the matter.  When they are looking for a toy they can’t find - let them ask Holy Spirit to help them find it. Sometimes you just have to go sit with them and you start talking to Jesus. And then give them opportunity to talk to him. Also meditating biblically is to chew and ponder and examine scripture. Like what does...

Q: My story is quite long and is much of a roller coaster ride. Many heartbreaking moments, but God isn’t finished with me yet.  I’m not near 3 of my children, but I’m reaching out here to see if anyone has any suggestions on a Bible that would be easy to read and follow but also talk about today’s issues geared towards teens .  One of my daughters is gender confused and quite rebellious. She’s turning 15 in a couple of days  ...and I plan on sending her a bible and of course something else that she likes. I Have looked at the diff versions. Not sure what would be best. There are several on Amazon that are teen friendly but I don’t want it to be a version that dilutes the truth of Gods word. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. A: John MacArthur Study Bible is good. She could benefit from the related  StudyBible.org app [since if you click on a verse it links to resources like FAQ and sermons on that topic].  Also has audio bible included a...

Q: I’m 20 years old and still a virgin. I’ve been dating this man who used to be a Christian before now he’s not (but he said he still believe in God). At first he agreed to wait for marriage but now he keeps reminding me about sexual stuff and how his body really needs it. He gets upset when i said I’m waiting for marriage. He often reminds me how religion is a lie and he would never be religious again. Before I thought he was sent by God, i don’t know what to do because i promised him i will never break our relationship. I’m afraid to leave too because i think i will make the wrong decision. Any advice pls? A: You are not making a wrong choice....Leave that man, right this instant. Stop playing with fire. If he is no longer Christian that is the biggest red flag. Break up by text and block his number. Those who walk away from Christ and still "believe in God" and "is against religion" are idolators and their father is the Devil. If he is not Christian "he i...

Q: I'm planning a little unwind time with my husband I'm not a very new Christian but still growing. I know sexual sin is frowned upon but I'm married and I haven't found  teachings on what can and can't happen during intimacy. I have been trying not to listen to worldly music but tbh I used to turn on a little RnB slow jams as I got dressed and also while I'm with my husband... but now I'm lost on what to do.  Are those music allowed, I dont want to sin and my husband feels it's okay.  I want to make sure. Also please provide any Scriptures or sermons that can help on this matter. A: It is good to ask and along with Scriptures direction in general for the way a believer is to live but also a matter of conscience. There are some secular music that mighttt be acceptable. You need to look at the lyrics as first importance. You are in a God designed and ordained marriage and that is where sex belongs. It is a gift and blessing from God. Just be cautious...

Halloween alternatives? First if you are anti Halloween, it is fine to not participate in the perceived evil side of it, but do look at the things that need to be understood about holiday celebrations in general as Christians. Q: So I had a discussion with my grandma today about me and my kids doing fall activities for the big family camping trip over Halloween. I said we won't be participating in the dress up or trick or treating but can do fall activities to give them a good time (ie bobbing for apples, painting with leaves, etc). I said Im not telling "them" not to do Halloween just that Im not participating and neither are my kids. We want to spend time with family but just not doing the Halloween part. She said well your aunt is the most Christian person I know and her and her kids do Halloween and the other holidays and you used to love Halloween and stuff. Im like yeah I know I used to. I also used to be an atheist and participated in the evil side of it, doing t...

Q: What should I do and how should I react or respond when I am interacting online with people, especially in Christian forums... and when a person disagrees with me THEN they go to my page look around to find something problematic then start talking about that in the forum or dm me and try to cause trouble about it there? A: As you know Christians are to be people of peace, the devil prowls around to accuse and harm and tries to destroy. Remember that while those of faith in the Bible were bold and strong they were no weakling nor cowered. But we need to balance our thoughts, our reactions, use self control and have a right and righteous mindset.   Some new believers will need to deal with and get thick skin if they have a timid or feelings get easily hurt. If that is you you can become more confident and courageous step by step.  We are not to be a bull in a china shop just rampaging everywhere and retaliating with our responses. And we need to remember the tongue can h...