Distorted Viewpoint: Having Faith Means Never Having Doubts

Many students quietly carry the belief that strong faith means unwavering certainty. In this distorted view, questions feel dangerous, curiosity is suppressed, and faith becomes a fragile system that must be protected rather than a living relationship with Jesus. When certainty is treated as the measure of faithfulness, students may hide their struggles, assume their questions disqualify them, or believe that doubt signals spiritual failure.

Here are some ways it shows up:

When sharing doubts with other Christian adults, I regularly get the impression that I should just “stop asking questions and believe.” (Sometimes this happens when students ask parents questions that they can’t answer themselves.)
“If I have doubts, am I really a Christian?”
When their identity is wrapped up in their performance, it can result in burnout, unhealthy comparisons to others, and anxiety/panic about the future.
“Having a strong faith means I never doubt.” Faith is fragile.
Students are not encouraged to explore the truth of their doubts and can learn to suppress curiosity and truth-seeking, instead of deepening their faith/trust found through exploring doubts and hard questions.

Better Viewpoint: Having Doubts Does Not Disqualify or Devalue Your Faith

Matthew 28:17 reminds us that even as the disciples worshiped the risen Jesus, some doubted — yet Jesus still entrusted them with His mission. Doubt did not disqualify them from belonging or from being sent. Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus meets people in their uncertainty, not by pushing them away but by drawing them closer. Doubts are common, and while they are not the goal, they can become meaningful moments where faith is refined and trust in Christ deepens.

What matters most is not the presence of doubt but the direction we turn with it. When students bring their questions to God, open Scripture, and share honestly within a trusted Christian community, doubt can become a doorway to growth rather than distance.

Proverbs 3:5–6 calls us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,” not as a command to silence curiosity, but as an invitation to anchor our searching in God’s character and promises.

As parents, leaders, and mentors, we can help create spaces where questions are safe and seeking truth is encouraged. Doubts should be normalized without being glorified — much like the Law serves as a mirror revealing our need for Christ. When students are allowed to wrestle honestly while being continually pointed to Jesus, they learn that faith is not fragile. It is a relationship sustained by grace, strengthened through trust, and held securely by the Savior who meets us even in our uncertainty.

Here are some important verses to remember:

“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:17-19
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
The story of Jesus (and Peter) walking on water. – Matthew 14:22-33

Talking Points and Questions for Discussion

Reminders and tips for your students:

Practice saying, “I don’t know, but let’s explore that together.” (Especially when faced with challenging circumstances or hard questions.)
Jesus is big enough to handle your doubts and your “why” questions. Faith is not about the absence of doubts; it’s about turning to Jesus and God’s Word when we have them.
Share authentic and real stories of past doubts that you have had, and how God revealed truth to you, and how God helped you through those times.
When you face your own hardships and struggles in real time, take those moments as an opportunity to talk through how your faith informs those challenges and the difference that Jesus makes.
Training your students with topics like Apologetics can be a helpful exercise in equipping them with answers to common challenging questions. But remember that it’s also not about always having all the answers. Our faith should be resilient enough to stay strong even when we have doubts and especially when we don’t have all the answers.

Questions you might consider asking:

Do you feel like Christians are supposed to be certain about everything? Why or why not?
Have you ever had questions about God, the Bible, or faith that felt hard to talk about?
Where do you usually go when you have spiritual questions — friends, the internet, the church, or nowhere?
Do you think adults in church struggle with doubts, too?
Do you ever feel like having doubts means your faith isn’t strong enough?
How could doubts actually lead someone closer to Jesus instead of farther away?
Who are safe people you could talk with about spiritual questions and doubts?

God’s grace to you today!
~Nathan