Axis Conversations Ask Axis (ft. Dr. Kara Powell): "How do I help my teen make their faith their own?"
Mar 24, 2026
Dr. Kara Powell, leader in youth faith formation at the Fuller Youth Institute, brings research-backed wisdom on helping teens own their beliefs. She discusses why doubt can deepen faith. She shows how open questions, family rhythms, and honest conversations create space for teens to make faith their own.
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Doubt Can Be A Laboratory For Faith
- Doubt can strengthen faith rather than destroy it.
- Fuller research found students who could express and explore doubt showed greater faith maturity in high school and college.
PhD Parent Stumped By Kids' Questions
- Kara's elementary students asked questions she couldn't answer despite her PhD in practical theology.
- She told them God must remain partly unexplained and used it to invite joint exploration instead of shutting down curiosity.
Answer Hard Questions With I Don't Know But
- When you don't know an answer, say I don't know but then look together for answers.
- Kara recommends reading Scripture together and connecting teens with other adults who welcome tough questions.