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What if my parents aren't Christians?

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New Zealand

Emergency 111

Police, ambulance, fire. If you or someone else is in danger right now.

Need to talk? 1737

Free call or text with a trained counsellor. Any time.

Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865

If you're thinking about suicide, or worried about someone. 7am to midnight.

Youthline 0800 376 633

For young people and their families. Call, or text 234. Any time.

Australia

Emergency 000

Police, ambulance, fire.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Crisis support. Call, or text 0477 13 11 14. Any time.

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

For young people aged 5 to 25. Any time.

United Kingdom

Emergency 999

Police, ambulance, fire.

Samaritans 116 123

Free, someone to talk to. Any time.

Shout 85258

Free text support. Text SHOUT to 85258. Any time.

Childline 0800 1111

For children and young people, free. Any time.

Ireland

Emergency 112 or 999

Police, ambulance, fire.

Samaritans 116 123

Free, someone to talk to. Any time.

Text About It 50808

Free text support. Text HELLO to 50808. Any time.

Childline 1800 66 66 66

For anyone under 18, free. Any time.

United States

Emergency 911

Police, ambulance, fire.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988. Any time.

Canada

Emergency 911

Police, ambulance, fire.

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Call or text 988, in English or French. Any time.

Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868

For young people. Call, or text CONNECT to 686868. Any time.

Germany

Notruf 112

Ambulance and fire. Police: 110.

Telefonseelsorge 0800 111 0 111

Free and anonymous. Also 0800 111 0 222 or 116 123. Any time.

krisenchat krisenchat.de

For everyone under 25. Chat by WhatsApp or SMS, free. Any time.

Nummer gegen Kummer 116 111

For children and young people, free. Mon to Sat, 2pm to 8pm.

Austria

Notruf 112

Ambulance: 144. Police: 133.

Telefonseelsorge 142

Free and anonymous. Any time.

Rat auf Draht 147

For children and young people, free and anonymous. Also if someone threatens to share your pictures. Any time.

Männerinfo 0800 400 777

Free, for men in crisis and with violence. Any time.

Switzerland

Notruf 112

Ambulance: 144. Police: 117.

Die Dargebotene Hand 143

Someone to talk to. Also chat at 143.ch. Any time.

Pro Juventute 147

For children and young people. Also WhatsApp and chat at 147.ch, and if someone threatens to share your pictures. Any time.

Somewhere else? Call your local emergency number, or find a free helpline for your country at findahelpline.com.

Short answer

Honour and love them, live out your faith gently and pray for them. Your faith is real, even if your family doesn't share it yet.

Many in the Bible followed God without their family's support. Jesus' own brothers didn't believe in Him at first. Timothy's father, it seems, did not share his faith.

Honour your parents, whether or not they believe. Be respectful, helpful at home and honest. Often the best witness is that you become kinder and easier to live with.

If you're young and your parents don't want you at church, talk respectfully and do what you can: read the Bible, pray, meet Christians at school. If your faith ever puts you in danger at home, tell a trusted adult straight away.

Pray for your parents by name, and answer gently if they ask about your hope. Some parents find Jesus through their children.

My verses

For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.

Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.

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