Conversation Starter

How do we teach our teens to stay safe in a scary world without instilling constant fear? Arthur C. Brooks tackled the subject in his latest Atlantic column, advising that parents point out what’s good even as we explain to our children that evil is real. His step-by-step instructions call for us to look at our own reactions to fear, first, before we try to help the young people in our lives understand its role.

Taking on a similar theme from a faith-based perspective, Russell Moore asks how we can maintain optimism in a world where it seems like the fear-based, primal response seems to be more motivating to some Christians than the actual gospel. The rush of adrenaline that a fear impulse drives can feel like something to lean into, but it can’t power a deep faith that lasts.

As we consider the ways that anxiety and fear inform the way we think about the world, we should be careful to look at our impulses. Ultimately, what we need to pass on is a healthy fear of a loving God, not a fear of our next door neighbour.

Here are some questions to help kickstart a conversation with your teen:

When was the last time you felt afraid? What triggered that feeling?
What role should fear play in the decisions that we make? Are there times when fear can be a good thing?
In the Bible, courage is presented as a godly value when it is teamed with following God’s will. Can you think of some examples in your own life when someone demonstrated godly courage?

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