Michael Kruger, a Professor of Biblical Studies and author of 'Surviving Religion 101', shares invaluable insights on preparing teens for life in a secular world. He discusses the alarming trend of young Christians leaving their faith around college age and introduces three key principles for parents: wise exposure, purposeful dialogue, and embracing doubts. Kruger also emphasizes the importance of community support for teens, relating it to the camaraderie seen in 'Saving Private Ryan'—demonstrating how togetherness can help navigate life's challenges.
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Kruger's College Crisis
Michael Kruger had a crisis of faith in college despite growing up in a Christian home.
He wasn't prepared for the intellectual challenges to his faith.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Wise Exposure
Parents should wisely expose their children to non-Christian thought.
This helps build their "theological immune system" and prepares them for future challenges.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Purposeful Dialogue
Encourage purposeful dialogue with teens about their faith.
Help them articulate and defend their beliefs, not just learn facts.
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The Life Application Study Bible is renowned for its comprehensive approach to helping readers apply the teachings of the Bible to their everyday lives. It includes over 10,000 life application notes, more than 100 character profiles, detailed book introductions, cross-references, and a variety of charts, maps, and illustrations. The Bible is available in multiple translations, including the New Living Translation (NLT) and Spanish. It aims to bridge the gap between the timeless principles of Scripture and the practical challenges of modern life, making it a valuable resource for Christians of all ages and backgrounds[2][3][5].
Surviving Religion 101
Surviving Religion 101
Michael J. Kruger
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Thomas Kuhn
In 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions', Thomas S. Kuhn argues that scientific progress does not occur through a gradual accumulation of facts, but rather through periodic revolutions that disrupt existing paradigms. Kuhn introduces the concept of 'normal science' and 'revolutionary science', where normal science involves puzzle-solving within an established paradigm, and revolutionary science involves a paradigm shift that fundamentally changes the way scientists view the world. He explains that these revolutions are driven by the accumulation of anomalies that cannot be explained by the current paradigm, leading to a crisis and eventually a new paradigm that offers a different perspective and new ways of conducting research[1][3][5].
BOOK OF GENESIS
CLARE AMOS
The Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, narrates the creation of the universe, the Earth, and humankind. It details the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah's Ark, and the Tower of Babel, establishing foundational narratives for Judaism and Christianity. Key themes include creation, sin, divine judgment, covenant, and the chosen people. The book's influence on Western culture and religious thought is profound and enduring. It provides a framework for understanding humanity's relationship with God and the origins of civilization. The book's complex narratives continue to inspire theological debate and literary interpretation.
Good Dirt
Charmaine Wilkerson
Ephesians
Canon Martin Kitchen
This book approaches the Epistle to the Ephesians in a unique manner, deviating from the traditional verse-by-verse analysis. It acknowledges the debt of biblical studies to historical method while offering a fresh and comprehensive examination of the text. The study provides a radical and insightful look at the Epistle, making it a valuable resource for scholars and readers interested in New Testament studies.
A recent Barna study showed that the ages of 18 to 25 are when many professing Christians will leave the church, especially as they transition to college life.
In this breakout session from TGCW24, Michael Kruger shares insights from his book Surviving Religion 101, exploring how parents can equip their children intellectually and spiritually to go through college and beyond with their faith intact. Kruger shares three key principles for parents—wise exposure, purposeful dialogue, and embracing doubts—along with four ideas for teens, including viewing challenges as growth opportunities and valuing community.
TGC Podcast 
