Passing the buck has never been a practical approach to faith, yet it happens more often than we realize. Parents believe the church will handle it, churches expect parents to take the lead, and mentors assume teenagers will eventually find their own way. The result is a gap where young people grow up without clear spiritual guidance, leaving them unsure of how faith connects to their lives.
The question of when to introduce Christ is not one to delay. The conversation should begin early and grow with the child’s understanding. Ignoring it or passing the buck leaves teenagers vulnerable to confusion and outside influences that often contradict Christian values.
The book When? When? When? reminds us of the urgency of preparing youth for Christ’s return. It asks us to reflect deeply on how to prepare the next generation with faith and conviction. It also challenges us to answer this critical question: Jesus Can We as Teenagers, Young Adults, Revealing to Our Generations?
Why Passing the Buck Delays Faith Growth
Teenagers live in a world filled with distractions. Social media, peer pressure, and the constant search for identity pull them in different directions. Without guidance, they may adopt beliefs from culture rather than Scripture.
Passing the buck at this stage creates long-term consequences. A parent who avoids conversations about prayer or forgiveness leaves the teen to fill in the gaps elsewhere. A church that relies only on youth events without meaningful dialogue risks entertaining rather than nurturing faith. This cycle of shifting blame and avoiding responsibility prevents young people from building a solid spiritual foundation.
Instead of delaying, adults should look for natural moments to bring Christ into conversations. Simple questions, such as “What do you think this Bible verse means?” or “How do you feel about prayer?” open doors to meaningful exchanges.
Passing the Buck in Families
Families are often the first place where faith can be introduced, yet they are also where the buck is usually passed. Some parents feel they are not spiritual enough to teach, while others assume their child will learn everything at Sunday school. But the home is where teenagers notice if prayer matters, if forgiveness is practiced, and if God is honored in everyday life.
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Talking about Christ does not have to feel like a formal lesson. It can happen at the dinner table, in the car, or before bedtime. Parents can share stories of how faith helped them through challenges. These moments matter more than long lectures. They show that faith is not distant but personal and real.
Passing the Buck in Churches
Churches also play a vital role, but they cannot carry the full responsibility alone. Too often, churches assume parents will guide their children, while parents take the youth ministry to do the job. This passing of the buck weakens both efforts. Teenagers need consistency between home and church.
When both work together, faith becomes more than a weekly event. It becomes part of everyday life. Churches can equip parents with tools, while parents reinforce what is learned. Together, they help teenagers move from knowing about God to personally experiencing Him.
Avoiding Responsibility: A Common Mistake
One reason adults fall into the habit of passing the buck is fear. They worry about saying the wrong thing or being unable to answer tough questions. This leads to avoiding responsibility, but silence is more damaging than imperfection. Teenagers respect honesty. Saying “I don’t know, but let’s learn together” teaches humility and encourages growth.
The truth is, no one is fully prepared. Faith conversations are rarely perfect, but they do not need to be. What matters is being present, listening, and showing a willingness to walk alongside teenagers in their questions.
Teenage Spiritual Development
Teenagers go through rapid changes in identity, friendships, and beliefs. This is why teenage spiritual development requires both patience and persistence. Adults should create spaces where questions are welcome and doubts are not dismissed.
For example, a teenager may ask why suffering exists or how to know if God hears prayers. These are not signs of rejection but of curiosity. They show a young person trying to make faith their own. Avoiding these talks or passing the buck to someone else denies them the guidance and encouragement they need.
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Mentorship also plays a role. Adults who live their faith daily can influence teenagers more than lessons alone. Young people watch closely. They notice how forgiveness is practiced, how kindness is shown, and how patience is lived out. Actions confirm words.
Sharing Faith With Teens
Sharing faith with teens should feel like an invitation, not a lecture. It involves listening as much as speaking. It respects their ability to think, question, and reflect. Teens do not need perfect answers. They need authenticity.
Start small. Pray together before a test. Read a short Bible passage and ask what they think. Encourage them to pray in their own words. These small acts create a natural rhythm of faith that grows over time.
If adults avoid these practices, they tend to shift the blame. Teenagers then learn about faith from culture, peers, or media, often missing the depth and truth Scripture provides.
Preparing Teens for Lifelong Faith
Introducing Christ is not about pressuring teenagers into quick decisions. It is about guiding them toward a lifelong relationship. This happens when adults show how faith affects daily choices, from handling conflict to showing compassion.
Teenagers also benefit from opportunities to serve. When they help others through church programs, mission projects, or simple acts of kindness, they see faith in action. These experiences root belief in real life and prepare them for adulthood.
Passing the buck denies them these experiences. Taking responsibility gives them tools for life.
Arthur J. Besler’s Reminder
Arthur J. Besler emphasizes that Christians cannot continue passing the buck when it comes to preparing youth. His book When? When? When? urges parents, mentors, and churches to act with urgency and love. He reminds readers that Jesus longs for His people to be ready for His return, and that includes the next generation.
His other books, Why? Why? Why?: Jesus Do You Consider Our Church Lukewarm? and How? How? How?: Jesus Can We Have Your Church Fired Up? expand on this message by addressing the role of the church body and the importance of spiritual readiness. Each book encourages believers to watch, pray, and prepare with expectation.
Conclusion: Stop Passing the Buck
The message is clear. Stop passing the buck. Stop shifting blame. Stop avoiding responsibility. The right time to introduce Christ is not far off in the future. It is now.
Teenagers are ready for guidance, honesty, and love. They need adults who will talk, listen, and walk beside them in faith. Every small effort builds a stronger foundation.
Get a copy of Arthur J. Besler’s book When? When? When?: Jesus Can We as Teenagers, Young Adults, Revealing to Our Generations? and let this be your guide. It offers wisdom for preparing young people to meet Christ with faith and hope. Do not wait for someone else to take the lead. Take responsibility today, and help shape a generation that is ready for His return.
