When I was in seventh grade, my dad made a decision that would profoundly shape my faith and my understanding of Christianity. He pulled me out of school for a Friday and Saturday seminar called “Six Hours with Josh,” led by evangelist and apologist Josh McDowell. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of this decision, but looking back, it was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. My dad explained that it was crucial for me, even as a young man, to own my faith—to believe not simply because it was the faith of my parents, but because I had examined it for myself. He told me that while we come to Christ “by faith,” it is not a “blind faith,” as many critics suggest. Instead, it is a rational faith, grounded in evidence and able to withstand scrutiny.
Josh McDowell’s story itself is compelling. A former atheist, he set out to disprove Christianity. However, as he investigated the claims of Jesus, he encountered evidence that changed his life. His journey of skepticism transformed into a vibrant faith, and he has spent decades sharing this transformation with others. His book More Than a Carpenter has sold millions of copies and presents one of his most famous arguments: Jesus cannot simply be dismissed as a “Good Man” or “Good Teacher.” Instead, McDowell argues that Jesus’ claims leave us with only three possibilities: He is either a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord. After examining the life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus, McDowell concluded that the evidence overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that Jesus is Lord.
McDowell’s other works, such as Evidence That Demands a Verdict and its follow-up, More Evidence That Demands a Verdict, provide a comprehensive defense of the Christian faith. These books equip believers to respond to skeptics and help seekers understand the rational foundation of Christianity. During that two-day seminar, McDowell presented evidence that not only solidified my faith but also gave me the tools to think critically about what I believe and why.
As a teenager, I wrestled with questions many young people face. What if I had been born into a family of another faith or no faith at all? Was I simply a Christian because of my upbringing? McDowell’s seminar helped me see that my family’s faith was not merely cultural or traditional but rooted in truth—truth that could be examined, studied, and verified. While faith is a personal step of trust, Christianity’s claims stand on a solid foundation of evidence. This realization was liberating. I no longer had to wonder if my faith was arbitrary. Instead, I could confidently say that it made sense—that it was both reasonable and compelling.
One of the most significant takeaways from that seminar was the idea that belief in God requires less faith than atheism. The world around us—with its intricate design, natural order, and moral structure—points to an intelligent designer. Even those who deny God’s existence often operate within a moral framework that assumes some standard of good and evil. To deny God’s existence requires faith in the improbable—that the universe and everything in it appeared from nothing without cause or reason. For me, the choice was clear. Faith in God was not a leap into the dark but a step into the light.
As I write this, I’m reminded of the importance of equipping the next generation with more than just stories and definitions of theological terms. As children’s ministry leaders, we must create environments where kids feel safe to ask hard questions and explore their faith. It’s not enough to tell them what to believe; we must help them think critically and come to their own conclusions. Encouraging intellectual engagement doesn’t undermine faith—it strengthens it. When kids understand that Christianity is a faith that welcomes questions and examination, they are more likely to develop a faith that endures.
I’m so grateful my dad didn’t simply tell me what to believe. Instead, he challenged me to think for myself and introduced me to thinkers like Josh McDowell. That decision not only deepened my faith but also prepared me to engage with others about what I believe and why. It’s a lesson I carry into my ministry today. I want the kids I teach to know that their faith is not just an emotional experience or family tradition but a rational and well-supported belief system. They have nothing to fear from examining their faith because the truth of the gospel stands up to scrutiny.
To all who work with kids in ministry, I encourage you to embrace the hard questions. Equip your students with intellectual tools to explore and understand their faith. Help them see that believing in God and the Bible is not just a “best guess” but the most logical and compelling option. Yes, we want kids to put their faith in Jesus, but we also want them to think deeply about what they believe. By doing so, we prepare them not only to follow Jesus but also to confidently share their faith with others.
If you’re looking for ways to engage with skeptics or seekers, I invite you to check out a little website I manage: ChooseGod.Today. It’s designed to challenge non-Christians to think about their beliefs and to nudge them toward choosing God. As Josh McDowell’s ministry has shown, sometimes all it takes is a nudge, a question, or a bit of evidence to lead someone toward faith.
I’ll always be thankful for that seminar and for a dad who valued my spiritual growth enough to invest in it. It’s a reminder to all of us in ministry to not only teach but also challenge and inspire the young people in our care. After all, a faith that thinks is a faith that lasts.
Visit kidology.org/labnotesmcdowell to download a PDF of this article.
