Can I Ask That?

Dear Parents & Guardians,

I’m writing to let you know about an important study we are beginning with our high school students on Sunday Nights.

We will be using a resource titled Can I Ask That?, a Sticky Faith curriculum from Fuller Youth Institute (fulleryouthinstitute.org), that is designed to lead teenagers in critical conversation about their faith. This study will invite students to look at topics like evolution, the reliability of the Bible, and homosexuality. It raises hard questions that don’t have easy answers, and helps students think about them from a biblical perspective.

We have convictions that high youth should wrestle with challenging topics now, with adults who know them and care about their faith, rather than on their own later. Some research suggests that about 50 percent of youth group participants will leave their faith when they graduate from high school (see stickyfaith.org for more research and resources addressing this concern). We don’t want young people to leave faith in Christ because we haven’t had real conversations with them about topics that matter.

These studies are written to intentionally encourage students to consider many sides of these issues and help them begin to form their own opinions based on dialogue around scripture, different Christian and non-Christian perspectives, and the tradition of our church. If you are interested in a copy of the curriculum, please let me know. I always welcome your questions and input.

Because doubt isn't toxic to faith. Silence is.

Along with encouraging your student to attend our weekly HSM Sunday Night meetings, you can also keep up with our HSM Blog for families. Each week we will post the highlights from the topic of the night. We will post links to other resources for your family to consider as well. We hope you will take this opportunity to explore your own understanding of the topics being discussed and have follow up conversations throughout the week.

We are excited about this series and hope you will encourage your high school youth to attend throughout the coming months. HSM Sunday Night is a time and place for youth to belong, question and connect.

If you have any questions please contact me in the church office or via email: Michael Beckmann

Stay tuned into this Blog as we will continue to post weekly updates and conversation starters for your family on Sunday nights!

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