Too comfortable for Christ
When life feels full and comfortable, why would anyone think they need Jesus? This is a common roadblock for youth leaders, especially when working with junior high boys. In comfortable contexts, many young people have all the opportunities and advantages they could ask for (and we rightly thank God for those blessings). But when these young guys hear the good news of Jesus, their honest response is often: “I’m fine, thanks.” Their experience of the world doesn’t seem all that bad, so the gospel feels unnecessary. This leaves youth leaders with the challenging task of helping them see the reality of sin and brokenness — and their deep need for a Saviour.
The “I’m fine, thanks” fallacy
The “I’m fine, thanks” fallacy is one I’ve encountered time and time again. Young people often don’t perceive their need for Jesus because life feels good, and they don’t see themselves as "bad people." On top of that, we live in a digital world, and our young people are digital natives. Through their smartphones, they take in a constant stream of content, much of which invites comparison. When their feeds are filled with stories of obvious evil and extreme wickedness, that can become their measuring stick for sin and brokenness. And since they aren’t “as bad” as the people they see online, they conclude they must be doing okay. This mindset puts young people at risk of pride and self-sufficiency, assuming they don’t need forgiveness because their sins seem small in comparison. It’s easy for them to believe they are already decent, moral individuals. However, Scripture is clear: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Sin isn’t just about doing bad things; it is a condition of separation from God (Isa. 59:2). When you combine the assumption that “I’m not too bad compared to others” with a life that feels comfortable, it’s no surprise the response to Jesus is “I’m fine, thanks.”
Addressing the “I’m fine, thanks” fallacy
How do we help young people see their need for Jesus when they don’t feel it? Here are three approaches:
1) Play the long game
Though many junior high students don’t see their need for Jesus now, life has a way of exposing reality. As they grow, they will experience pain, disappointment, and the brokenness of the world. Our job is to walk alongside them in patient, persistent discipleship. We are to be consistent, loving church leaders, there for them through thick and thin. Although some of our young people, in God’s kindness, haven’t yet experienced the weight of sin and struggles of life, they inevitably will. But we are to be there, Bible in hand, for the highs and lows of life. As the Book of Job reminds us, both will arrive in due course.
Youth leaders often feel the urgency for students to respond in faith now. But God is sovereign, and salvation is in His hands. If a student doesn’t grasp their need for Christ this week, keep sharing. If they still don’t see it next term, don’t give up. Keep presenting the gospel creatively and relationally, praying for the Spirit to work in their hearts. It may take weeks, months, or even years before “the penny drops." When it does, they need leaders and a church family who have journeyed with them, ready to guide them into new life in Christ. If they don’t have a light bulb moment because life is comfortable, keep walking alongside them, knowing that life is full of changing seasons (Eccl. 3).
2) Challenge in relationship
The reality is that our young people are not free from sin. Although they may not always feel the weight of sin and brokenness, it still needs to be addressed. Sin isn’t just about guilt or behaviour; it’s a fundamental reality of our human condition. If we define sin only by the worst crimes, your average, polite 13-year-old might not see themselves as a sinner at all. At times, sin can be like an undiagnosed disease — its symptoms may not be immediately apparent, but the consequences are inevitable. When a youth leader (or anyone, in any context) seeks to challenge a young person’s self-view, it can be a delicate and deeply personal matter. To challenge assumptions, meaningful relationships are essential. When youth leaders cultivate genuine, long-term relationships with their young people, they earn the trust needed to speak truth into their lives. Through these relationships, they can correct misconceptions and bring the Scripture to bear on their circumstances. When a leader has cultivated a meaningful, discipleship-based relationship, they gain a ‘voice’ to speak into the lives of their group members. This makes it easier to challenge the assumption that we are ‘good people’ who don’t need a Saviour.
3) Offer a better "good"
The gospel isn’t just about fixing what's broken; it’s about offering something far better. The world provides happiness, but Jesus offers true joy, purpose, and fulfillment. I ride a street-registered SuperSport motorcycle. A Saturday ride is always good fun, but nothing compares to when I ride in on the racetrack—because that’s what it was designed for. Likewise, we were designed for a relationship with God. The joys of the world, while real, will always fall short of the deep satisfaction found in Christ. A few years ago, I baptised a young person who had first come to youth group three years earlier. The joy of that moment far surpassed the worldly thrill of riding a motorcycle at 200+km/h. We need to show young people that knowing Jesus isn’t just necessary—it’s better. Even when our young people don’t see their immediate need for Jesus, we can show them the great joy of following Jesus beyond the joys the world has to offer. He is the ultimate good, the only one who can truly satisfy the human heart (Ps. 16:11).
The “I'm fine, thanks” fallacy is a subtle deception often found in comfortable contexts, but one that needs to be thoughtfully addressed. Young people (as we all do!) need to be shown the reality of sin, the incomparable joy and hope of knowing Christ, and the enduring faithfulness of the gospel. Our role is to disciple, pray, and trust in God's timing so that when the moment of realisation comes, we are ready to lead them to the One who truly satisfies.
