Exploring New Interests Without Losing Your Faith
34% of youth have stepped away from church listing “other things” or alternative interests as a reason.
Life as a young adult is full of new possibilities—new hobbies, new friendships, new ideas, new responsibilities.
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Maybe you’re diving into art, joining a hiking group, or exploring practices that feel more relevant than Sunday services. It’s natural to chase what excites you, but you don’t have to leave your faith behind to do it. God created you with passions—and He wants to be part of them.
The Bible celebrates exploration when it leads to growth. In Acts 17:27, Paul says God places us in our specific times and places “so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
Your interests don’t have to be a barrier to faith—they can be a bridge. Whether it’s music, sports, or a new philosophy, God can meet you there. The key is to invite Him into your journey, not to replace Him with it.
But what happens when these interests pull you away from church and your relationship to God? It’s easy to drift when new passions consume your time or introduce people and communities that don’t share your faith.
Scripture calls us to hold fast to our foundation. Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Exploring new interests is fruitful when you stay connected to Christ—through prayer, Scripture, or a faith community.
Consider ways to build a bridge between your new interest and your faith.
For example, if you have developed a new love of art, consider studying Christian artists and their stories of how God used their talent for His glory.
If it’s sports, consider studying Christian athletes and how they’ve used their fame for God’s glory by doing things for the community or perhaps used their voice to help bring about change.
If philosophy is your intertest, consider studying C.S. Lewis, Justin Martyr, William Lane Craig, or Gary Habermas who is the Distinguished Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy and chairman of the department of philosophy and theology at Liberty University. Consider the book, Evidence That Demands A Verdict.
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This verse directly speaks to the idea of exploring new interests without losing faith. It encourages us to pursue our passions, whether it’s art, sports, or a new social circle, in a way that honors God.
New pursuits don’t have to pull you away; they can be a way to glorify God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages you to ‘trust in the Lord with all your heart… in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’ As you explore, let God guide your steps—let Him lead you to community.
Guard against being led away from Him.
I’m reminded of these lyrics from “Alive and Breathing”:
What holds your heart
What stirs your soul
What matters come to mind
The cares you keep
The thoughts you think
It’s not all wasted time
Seek and you will find
Your thoughts and interests are important to God! The Lord delights in us. Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Do you know it is possible to incorporate some of your new interests into ministry?
I saw a story on the news sometime back where a group of ladies got together and painted small plaques with a simple Bible verse and handed them out. It caused enough stir to make the news!
In another story, a young Christian man felt led to help the youth at his local Boy’s Club and he became a volunteer. I’ve known of the YMCA needing help particularly with their special needs water classes.
Some churches have sports teams.
Regardless of what interests might have taken you away from church or your relationship with God, I just want to encourage you to bring them to your Father.
If it’s something sinful, you know you have to get rid of that. But not everything is sinful. And you might be surprised how God can use your new hobbies for His glory.
But precious one, don’t allow them to be before Him and take the place of Him. Keep striving to put Him first and keep Him first in your life.
Another group you might find local on your campus is Celebrate Recovery or Life Recovery. You will find people from all walks of life at those meetings. They usually offer a meal with fellowship, a casual church-type service, small group studies and sharing with prayer. These groups usually have access to tons of resources if you find you have needs, from spiritual to physical. I highly recommend them! They would love to help you. They often hold meetings late evenings on a weeknight.
If you have allowed something in His place, He is waiting for you to restructure your priorities and He misses you. He won’t throw you away; He loves you dearly. But He does want to be first and when we put Him there, everything else has a way of working out.
I’m a sinner saved only by grace!
I believe the Bible is inerrant. I believe according to John 1, in the beginning was the Word- and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. I believe according to Isaiah 9 that Jesus is God. I believe He is the same; yesterday, today and forever! I’ve known Him for almost 33 years.
I’m a wife and mother. I have six grown children who were homeschooled. 5 boys, 1 daughter. Several of them served our nation in the navy. I have 4 grandchildren.
And I’m very grateful to be here! 
I look forward to meeting you! 
