For many teens growing up in a Christian household, being a “Christian” can feel like more of an inherited identity than a personal decision. Maybe your parents take you to church, your friends believe in God, and you’ve always kind of assumed you’re Christian too. But at some point, we all face a turning point where belief must become personal. So… why choose to be a Christian?

The Big Question

At 1 Youth Ministry, we’ve been exploring this question over the past few weeks. The lessons took a deep dive into what being a Christian actually means—and why it’s more than just attending church or saying a prayer.

We started by asking, “What is a Christian?” While the term appears only three times in the Bible (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16), what it really reflects is someone who chooses to follow Jesus, believes in His death and resurrection, and accepts Him as their Lord and Savior.

Eternal Salvation: The First Big Reason

The first core reason to be a Christian is eternal salvation. Christians believe that through Jesus, we are saved from eternal separation from God. It’s not about being “good enough”—because honestly, we can’t be. Even though God gave laws to live by, they mainly proved how impossible it is to earn salvation on our own.

But here’s the amazing part: God’s plan doesn’t depend on our perfection. Through Jesus, we are offered forgiveness, grace, and a way back into relationship with God—forever. As John 3:16 says:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Eternal life isn’t just some far-off concept for when we die—it begins the moment we believe. It’s a quality of life that brings hope, purpose, and peace even here and now.

A New Way of Living: The Second Big Reason

So if heaven is the goal, what about today? That’s where Part 2 comes in.

Choosing to follow Christ changes everything—not just our destination, but our direction. Being a Christian means living with the Holy Spirit guiding us, giving us strength, and helping us make wise decisions.

Even in a broken world, we don’t have to walk alone. We don’t have to live in fear, stress, or guilt. Instead, we live in God’s grace, and we can walk through life with His peace, strength, and favor.

Galatians 5:22-23 outlines what this transformed life looks like through the “Fruit of the Spirit”: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In other words, once we become Christians, we’re called to live like it. Like someone who just won the lottery wouldn’t keep living like they’re broke, a Christian who understands the value of salvation shouldn’t want to go back to their old life.

Why It Matters

When we start living differently—when people see peace in us during chaos, or joy in us during hardship—it makes them wonder why. That opens the door to share our faith.

1 Peter 3:15 says:

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

When you truly understand why you choose to follow Jesus, it changes how you live—and that can impact the lives of those around you.

Your Turn

If you’re still figuring this out, that’s okay. Ask questions. Get curious. Explore the differences between Christianity and other belief systems. Most importantly, don’t just go through the motions—make faith your own.

And remember: you’re not alone on the journey. Whether you’re wrestling with doubt or ready to dive in, God is ready to meet you right where you are—with grace, truth, and a plan full of hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Want to keep the conversation going? Join us Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Room for our Coffee Q&A—an open, judgment-free space to ask questions about God, life, and everything in between.

Visit 1youthministry.org or text “I need prayer” to 844-533-3553 anytime. We’re here for you.

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By 1 Youth Ministry – Youth Grades 7–12

Every day, we face a choice: make excuses or seize opportunities. At our recent Sunday youth gathering, we explored this powerful idea—how fear and doubt often disguise themselves as excuses and hold us back from what God has called us to do.

The Real Story Behind Excuses

We started by calling out the excuses we all use—some more frequently than we’d like to admit. The truth is, most excuses are just false stories we tell ourselves, rooted in fear—fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown. But more deeply, these fears reflect a lack of faith in God’s plan and power.

God doesn’t give us small dreams. He plants desires in our hearts that are often far bigger than we think we can handle—because we’re not meant to do it alone. He wants us to trust Him.

Jeremiah’s Story: From Excuses to Calling

We looked at the prophet Jeremiah, who was just a teen when God called him to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah had a list of excuses, just like many of us do:

• “It’s too hard.”
  Yes, being a prophet was tough. But God promised He would be with Jeremiah. Likewise, when God calls you, He equips you and walks with you.

• “I’m not talented enough.”
  Jeremiah felt inadequate, especially because of his youth. But God reminded him that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

• “It’s not the right time.”
  Jeremiah thought he wasn’t ready. But God’s timing is always perfect. When He says “go,” He means now—and He’ll never leave you to do it alone.

• “It’s dangerous.”
  Jeremiah’s mission did come with risks. Yet even when the message was hard to deliver, God provided him with the courage and protection he needed.

• “Does it have to be now?”
  Yes, it does. When God speaks, He expects action. He told Jeremiah to get ready immediately. The task was difficult, but God promised His presence and protection.

Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s Assurance

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:11

Even when Jeremiah’s warnings went unheeded and Israel was exiled, God still used him to deliver hope. And the same is true for us. No matter what the world says, God’s plan for you is filled with purpose and promise.

What Will You Choose?

Next time you catch yourself saying, “I can’t,” ask yourself if it’s really about ability—or fear. Don’t let excuses rob you of the future God wants to give you. Trust Him. Step out in faith. Say yes.

Excuses hold us back. Faith moves us forward.

A Story With No Name—but Deep Significance

The woman in this story remains unnamed. And yet, her story is deeply personal and widely relatable. She represents the marginalized, the ashamed, and those who feel forgotten. Jesus’ encounter with her at Jacob’s well was anything but ordinary. It broke religious, social, and cultural norms—Jesus, a Jewish man, spoke with a Samaritan woman who was rejected even by her own people.

We often forget how radical this moment truly was. Jews and Samaritans had despised each other for generations. It was common practice for Jews to avoid Samaria entirely. And culturally, men did not speak to women alone in public—especially not women with a “past.” This woman had been married five times and was currently living with a man she wasn’t married to. Yet Jesus didn’t avoid her—He sought her out.

Living Water for a Weary Soul

In their conversation, Jesus offered her “living water”—a metaphor for eternal life and a renewed relationship with God. But more than that, He spoke directly to her deepest need: acceptance, love, and a new start. She responded like many of us do: “How can you forgive me after everything I’ve done?” But Jesus wasn’t there to condemn her—He came to save her.

We reflected on how often we feel disqualified from God’s love because of our past. But Jesus shows us that no one is too far gone. In fact, He specializes in meeting us right where we are, even in the middle of the day at a lonely well.

From Rejected to Redeemed

What’s beautiful about this story is the woman’s immediate transformation. The moment she realized who Jesus was, she dropped her water jar—a symbolic release of her burdens—and ran back to her village to share the good news. The same woman who once avoided people now couldn’t wait to talk to them.

Her testimony led many others to believe in Jesus. And isn’t that what we’re all called to do? To share our encounter with Christ in our own circles of influence?

Eternal Life Begins Now

John 3:36 reminds us that eternal life is not just a future promise, but a present reality. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…”—right now, in this very moment.

This “new quality of life” isn’t just about heaven someday. It’s about living with purpose, hope, and joy today. It’s about knowing that God is with us, for us, and has a purpose for us, no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done.

What If You Had a Moment With Jesus?

What would happen if you sat down with Jesus, like the woman at the well did? Would you be honest? Would you listen? Would you believe?

And what if you invited a friend to meet Him too?