Following Jesus Together
Reader Questions
This week, I’m responding to a question from a reader.
What would you tell your 14-year-old self is the most important aspect of adult life?
If I were talking to an unbeliever, the answer would be simple: The most important aspect of life at any age is faith in Jesus Christ. When I was 14, I was a Christian, so I will interpret the question through that lens. What would I tell a 14-year-old Christian is the most important aspect of adult life? Simply this:
Wherever you live, whatever you do, be plugged into a good church.
I didn’t say “attend” but “be plugged into.” There’s a world of difference between those! If all you do is attend a church’s worship services, you’ll find that it makes a relatively small impact overall. Perhaps this is one reason Americans are leaving churches in record numbers—attending church services has made little difference in their lives. But if you belong to the church and are connected with the people—if the church is your spiritual family, not just your spiritual service provider, it will change your whole life.
Now, some people might push back. Shouldn’t we tell a teenage Christian the most important thing he can do in life is study the Bible? Or what about prayer? How about serving others, sharing the gospel with unbelievers, giving generously, and making disciples? Aren’t those things important? Or maybe we’re being a little too spiritual. Teens should be encouraged to get a good education, find a good job, perhaps get married and have kids… or whatever makes them happy.
I think, as Christians, we should be able to say that following Jesus is more important than college, career, and the American Dream. It’s not that those things don’t matter but that they don’t matter most. And as for reading the Bible, prayer, giving, serving, and evangelizing, don’t all of those things happen in or through a good church? If someone belongs to a good church, they will get a steady dose of Scripture, regular occasions to worship and pray with other believers, opportunities to serve and give, and motivation to share Jesus with others along the way.
We were never intended to follow Jesus alone. Our Christian faith is personal, but it is not a private faith. As a pastor, I’ve met thousands of Christians over the years. I’ve known many who didn’t make the church a priority. Sadly, their faith had so little impact on their lives that it was invisible (except for the Jesus-fish bumper stickers on their cars). While I only have anecdotal data to draw from and not a peer-reviewed research study, I am convinced that the most contributing factor to a person’s Christian faith, and perhaps the clearest litmus test of their spiritual health, is the depth of their connection with a good local church.
That’s why I’d tell 14-year-old me, or any other Christian teenager, that the most important aspect of adult life is to belong to a good church where you have true friendships built on Christ.
“And all who believed were together…” (Acts 2:44a).