MY ANSWER

I'm 12 years old, and I want to serve Jesus very much. But how can I?
Billy Graham writes, "I know you may feel very alone as you seek to live for Christ, but every day I receive letters and e-mail from young people just like you, and this gives me great hope."

MY ANSWER

Is cheating in class really wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "Cheating is wrong in God's eyes, whether it's on a test in class, in business, in a marriage, or in any other situation."

MY ANSWER

The kids I am teaching at church don't seem to take anything seriously, and I feel like I'm wasting my time. Am I wrong?
Billy Graham writes, "God has promised that when we teach His Word, our efforts are never in vain."

MY ANSWER

Where did God come from? Did God have a father and mother? My mommy said I ought to ask you, because you'd know the answer.
Billy Graham writes, "God had no beginning (just as He will have no end); He has always existed, and He always will."

MY ANSWER

We are very concerned about our son, because it looks to us like college has turned him away from God.
Billy Graham writes, "Young people often question their faith as they grow older, particularly when they get away from home and run into people who reject God."

MY ANSWER

Where should I start reading the Bible? I'm in high school, and I don't have a lot of extra time.
Billy Graham writes, "Whenever people ask me a question like this I often think of the old quip about eating an elephant."

MY ANSWER

Our son's youth group is going on a summer mission trip to help build houses in a fairly primitive country. He really wants to go, but we're very nervous about it. Should we let him go?
Billy Graham writes, "I suspect most parents reading this will understand your nervousness—and, of course, you'll want to find out as much as you can about the trip and how it will be organized."

MY ANSWER

We've been urging our kids to avoid drugs, but they recently found out that we experimented with drugs when we were in college. Have we lost our right to speak to them about this?
Billy Graham writes, "No, not necessarily—and in fact if you handle it wisely, it may give you greater credibility with them."

MY ANSWER

Our parents are insisting my boyfriend and I wait until we get out of college before we get married, but we don't want to do this. Would it be wrong for us to get married secretly?
Billy Graham writes, "I sincerely hope you both will stop and consider carefully what your parents are telling you."

MY ANSWER

I'm not doing very well in high school, and I want to drop out. How can I persuade my parents to let me do this?
Billy Graham writes, "If you and I could sit down and talk, I would do everything I could to persuade you to stay in school."

MY ANSWER

My husband and I are discussing whether or not to send our children to Sunday school. He thinks it would be a good thing but I think they're too young to understand. What's your opinion?
Billy Graham writes, "I would urge you to take your children to Sunday school as soon as you can."

MY ANSWER

My parents are pushing me to go to college, but to be honest I'm tired of school. Do you have any advice?
Billy Graham writes, "The most important advice I can give you is to seek God's will for your future. God knows all about you, and He knows what's best for you. Why not ask Him to guide you?"

MY ANSWER

I turned my back on God over 60 years ago. Now I'm old and dying, and I wish I'd taken a different road. Please tell young people not to do what I did.
Billy Graham writes, "When we're young, we often don't realize how life-changing our decisions may be—for good or for evil. Only as we grow older do we begin to see it—and that's especially true for someone in your position."

MY ANSWER

Do you think the world will be a better place in half a century?
Billy Graham writes, "No one can predict the future, of course—although it is reasonable to assume that in some ways life probably will be easier in half a century, given our present rate of technological and medical advances."

MY ANSWER

If you could deliver just one message to the youth of our world, what would it be?
Billy Graham writes, "I would tell them that life's highest joy comes only from knowing Christ and seeking to do His will—and then I would urge them to commit their lives to Him without reserve."

MY ANSWER

What do you think about falling in love over the Internet?
Billy Graham writs, "Elsewhere in your letter, you admit that this person hasn't revealed very much about himself or his background, even when you've asked him—and that alone should be a big red flag, warning you to back away."

MY ANSWER

I've been in and out of rehab more times than I can count since I was 13. Nothing works. Even God has given up on me.
Billy Graham writes, "You may have given up on God—but I want to assure you that God has not given up on you! One of the Bible's greatest truths is that God's concern for us never ends."

MY ANSWER

I'm headed for college in a few weeks. Do you have any advice for me as a Christian?
Billy Graham writes, "The most important advice I can give you is to keep your eyes on Christ, and not let yourself be turned away from Him. Satan will do everything he can to turn you away from Christ, but don't give in to his pressures."

MY ANSWER

Was I just kidding myself when I thought I was saved?
Billy Graham writes, "No, you weren't deceiving yourself into thinking you were saved when you weren't—not if you sincerely believed in Christ and committed your life to Him."

MY ANSWER

I really prayed about college, and I thought God was telling me to go here, but now I'm not sure.
Billy Graham writes, "I urge you to stay right where you are (unless you become absolutely convinced that God is leading you elsewhere). Your experience isn't unusual; many find college (or any other major change in life) a bit disorienting at first."