Are You Ready to Give an Answer?

Editor’s note: You might notice some of the phrasing and style of this article are a little different than what many of you are used to reading. That’s because it’s written by Denise McClean—a member from the British Isles! As you read the article and note the differences between British and American vernacular, it’s a great reminder that there are teens like you reading Compass Check all over the globe.

From the rejection of pagan symbols such as the Easter bunny to friends wondering why we refuse to eat certain foods, we are likely to be faced with awkward questions as to why we do not follow particular traditions commonly accepted by mainstream Christianity. How prepared are you to be quizzed about the biblical festivals you do keep, or why you observe the Saturday Sabbath? Can you offer an answer in a constructive way that offers wisdom and shows respect?

While we can sometimes distance ourselves from situations where we might be unexpectedly cornered about our beliefs, that tactic doesn’t always work, nor is it necessarily the best strategy. In December just gone, that ploy failed quite spectacularly for me when out of the blue, my 10-year-old pupil blurted out excitedly as the lesson came to an end, “I’m really looking forward to Christmas. Are you?”

I had to answer. I wasn’t ready.

Answers can lead to more questions

It seemed the answer I gave her—that I don’t celebrate Christmas and the reasons why— wasn’t enough since it elicited even more questions on her part, one after the other. “So are you Jewish? You don’t believe in Jesus then? But the story of Jesus’ birth is in the Bible so why aren’t you celebrating it?”

The full-time nanny who was preparing dinner and who’d been listening to the whole exchange then asked what else I followed in the Bible after I’d explained I was a Bible-believing Christian. We got onto the subject of clean and unclean meats, although I thought, probably not quite the right time to start quoting Leviticus verbatim about hooves, cud chewing and fins, so I just stuck to the food law basics.

I describe this scenario to highlight how easy it is to be caught off guard. Anyone of any age can question us at any time about our fundamental beliefs and why we don’t follow the same practices as those of the world. Why don’t you put up a tree with tinsel and sing “Jingle Bells?” Why don’t you believe in Santa Claus? Why don’t you buy Easter eggs? How about the food laws by which you abide or why you wait until marriage to move in with someone of the opposite sex? Why, why, why?

Prepare ahead of time

If your classmates or friends happen to ask you these questions, or similar, are you ready to give an answer as to what you believe, how you live your life and why, explaining the reason for the hope that lies within you? Paul instructs us that we must be able to do so! “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

To help you do so, you may like to consider in advance how you might sharpen your existing knowledge to deal more competently with certain scenarios that could arise, rather than find yourself totally unprepared. Here are a few suggestions:

Remember that all of our answers should be given in love, with respect (Ephesians 4:15). This can be difficult if we feel we are being scrutinized, but if we look prayerfully to the Almighty for courage and the right words at the right time, we can be both kind and bold, saying what needs to be said without fear (Ephesians 6:19).

Become familiar with the essence of our Fundamental Beliefs to enhance confidence during conversations. These can be found in succinct form at UCG.org. Moreover, bear in mind that Matthew 10:32-33 warns we should neither fear nor be ashamed of being respectfully open and honest in our expression to others as to why we submit to God in this life using His Ten Commandments as our guide.

Consider practicing role play during Q&A scenarios with Church friends or family at home or even after services with experienced Church members. This could manifest itself in fun ways using word cards placed face down with each Holy Day printed on the back to pick at random with a view to explaining what it’s all about and the reason you observe it.

Prepare mini presentations with other teens to present to brethren to encourage public speaking and help you remember what the specific Holy Day entails. Ask your pastor about this idea, and perhaps use the Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Observe? study aid as your guide.

When asked why you’re unable to play a baseball or football game on Sabbath, be ready to relay a clear explanation to your school friends citing the Fourth Commandment and seventh-day Sabbath you observe. Don’t be tempted to make up excuses. It is better to be upfront and honest the first time so you’re hopefully not faced with the same question over and over again. Keep an electronic copy of the Bible on your phone that’s easily accessible for reference. The Sunset to Sunset: God’s Sabbath Rest study aid is also a great resource that can be downloaded.

Certain foods are an abomination to our Lord in terms of human consumption. Are you aware of what they all are? Get together in groups to devise a PowerPoint quiz to test just how much you know about the subject ready for when somebody outside the Church probes you if invited to or attending a non-Church event. The likelihood is that you will be asked to explain further if there are many culinary delights on the menu that you cannot eat at all. The study aid What Does the Bible Teach About Clean and Unclean Meats will be helpful here.

Be aware that none of us know whom God might be calling at any given time into His Kingdom. You could find yourself playing a key role in becoming a light along someone’s path, someone who is perhaps seeking to pursue a more God-centered life. Think about the ways in which you could harness that budding interest. Become a trusted friend and demonstrate by your actions and speech that you are practicing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Try to make time to learn one or two pertinent Bible verses per week so as to help cement answers to tricky questions into your mind to aid easier recall. You will soon build up an impressive repertoire of biblical references ready to use at a moment’s notice.

Don’t be afraid

It’s true nobody likes to stick out like a sore thumb, and being bold in expressing what we believe to the world can often feel isolating, even daunting, but we should always remember that we are serving God not man. What does this mean?

Often, fear of appearing different amidst our friendship groups, especially in these days of so-called “cancel culture,” can encourage a watered-down Christianity at odds with God’s desire for complete submission to Him and His way of life, not those of our classmates. In fact, the Bible carries a stark warning for those who choose to please their friends and family over our Creator (Matthew 10:37-39).

Furthermore, we are not to shy away from the fact that we are Bible-believing Christians who reject mainstream, erroneous Christian mores (customs). Failing to acknowledge to a wider world why we choose to live our lives His way and actively do so in this present age will neither go unnoticed nor unpunished (Matthew 7: 21-23).

Canceled or not, our priorities and devotions must not be channeled towards any mortal—irrespective of who the individual may be—lest we be rejected by Christ at His return.

Better prepared for the next time

Back to my pupil. How does the story end? Well, I usually keep a copy of the Holidays or Holy Days booklet for times such as these, especially when the Feast of Tabernacles is upon us. Just recently, when I said I’d be away, I was asked where I was going on holiday. I know it’s not a holiday, and I never pretend it is. I always say I’m going away with my Church and if pressed further will give a brief explanation of the significance of the festival describing the paradisiacal surroundings, irrespective of where one is observing it in the world and why this is so, i.e., the depiction of the glorious future that lies ahead for mankind.

After having pondered events, given the child’s age, the following week I ended up handing the booklet to her nanny, inviting her to explain to the parents what had transpired the week prior since she’d been party to the whole affair. I said the booklet would hopefully help answer the questions the little girl had been asking me. Nobody’s said anything since, and I won’t be following up unless questioned further.

The next time I was there, something interesting happened as I was leaving. “Merry…,” exclaimed my pupil as she quickly put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from completing her sentence. The nanny simply stated knowingly: “Have a good rest,” and off I went.

So, the next time someone asks you about your festival observances, will you be caught off guard, or will you be ready with an answer?

To find the resources Denise mentions above, visit ucg.org/ccspring25.