Behave Quote by Phil Vischer
“I looked back at the previous 10 years and realized I had spent 10 years trying to convince kids to behave Christianly without actually teaching them Christianity. And that was a pretty serious conviction. You can say, 'Hey kids, be more forgiving because the Bible says so,' or, 'Hey kids, be more kind because the Bible says so!' But that isn't Christianity, it's morality.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public talk by Phil Vischer, 2019
He realized he spent a decade urging kids to follow Christian morals without teaching Christian faith, confusing morality with religion.
In simple terms: He taught kids moral rules without explaining Christianity.
Teach faith, not just moral rules.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- church youth programs
- parenting
- religious education
- faith formation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we integrate belief with moral teaching?
- What distinguishes moral behavior from religious conviction?
Moral instruction alone may not foster genuine belief.