# Participating in protestant youth groups **URL:** \ **Category:** Catholic Living\ **Created:** [September 28, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/participating-in-protestant-youth-groups/4246 "2026-09-28T18:24:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LelouchViBr1tannia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@LelouchViBr1tannia](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/LelouchViBr1tannia)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/participating-in-protestant-youth-groups/4246/1 "2026-09-28T18:24:44Z")
There’s a Protestant youth group in my school. I have decided against participating due to the theological differences such as sola fide, sola scriptura, deuterocanon, etc. I instead spend my time reading a theological book or praying. Have I made the correct decision as a Catholic? ---
**Author:** ![Cade\_One](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.catholictalk.net/cade_one/32/34_2.png) [@Cade\_One](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/Cade_One)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/participating-in-protestant-youth-groups/4246/2 "2026-09-28T18:41:31Z")
Welcome to _CatholicTalk_! As someone who fell away from my Catholic Christian Faith after attending a Protestant Youth Group in High School in addition to my Catholic Youth Group (which I also loved), I can say that you are making the right decision. As long as you are forming a relationship with Jesus, which is very important as Christians. Can Catholic Christians who are solid in their understanding of their Catholic Christian Faith participate in groups with Protestant youth? Yes, but I was not solid in my understanding at that age. However, I don’t know that I would be the Catholic Christian that I am today, had I not taken the detour that I had (only God knows for sure). What I do know is that Jesus never gave up on me and even though I took a bit of a detour, He led me back! And this journey helps me better relate to our Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ. My Parents were Presbyterian and I began attending a non-Denominational Youth Group in High School and College, because my Catholic Youth Group only met every-other week and I wanted something every week. So on Wednesday Nights I attended the non-Denominational Youth Group and my Catholic Youth Group every other Sunday. In College, I attended Mass a few times, but missed it here and there, until eventually I just stopped going. There is a saying that says, “The more you _miss_ (attend) Church, the less you miss it (meaning it is easier not to go).” I later met a girl who attended a Dispensational Church (big into the Rapture and they were very anti-Catholic). She is now my Wife and she has became Catholic (Thanks be to God! : ) Some of my Friends from my non-Demon Youth Group Days are also now Catholic Christians, which is great! Don’t be afraid to make friends with individuals of other Faith traditions as we do share a common love for Christ and for the Bible, but also know the differences. And you can Pray for their conversion without them knowing ; ) Not every conversation has to be a debate. As you walk with Jesus, and His grace shines through you, this will say more than anything you have to say to them theologically. But, if you know how to defend your Faith when asked to give an answer, do so gently and respectfully ([1 Peter 3:15-16](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/3?15)). Hope this helps : ) ---
**Author:** ![Cade\_One](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.catholictalk.net/cade_one/32/34_2.png) [@Cade\_One](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/Cade_One)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/participating-in-protestant-youth-groups/4246/3 "2026-09-28T19:01:29Z")
> [@LelouchViBr1tannia](#): > > I instead spend my time reading a theological book or praying. May I recommend a few books to you? 1. “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis 2. “A Father Who Keeps His Promises” by Dr. Scott Hahn 3. “Why We’re Catholic” by Trent Horn I also really enjoyed the “Surprised by Truth” (3-book series). And if you like Fiction, Marcus Grodi’s “How Firm A Foundation” was good. I have not read the sequel, titled, “Pillar and Bulwark” yet. I got it for Christmas last year and it is in the line-up. God Bless, Joshua ---
**Author:** ![JethroHiggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@JethroHiggins](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/JethroHiggins)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/participating-in-protestant-youth-groups/4246/4 "2026-09-29T22:55:33Z")
@LelouchViBr1tannia Like @Cade_One, I too participated in a non-Catholic Youth Group called Young Life when I was in High School, and it served to water down my conviction about my faith and open the door to interpreting the teachings of the Church loosely. Hold strong to what you know to be true, and don’t give the enemy an opportunity to sow doubt in your heart. Or, better yet, start your own group if no nearby Church has an official youth group. I know many young people who started their own Bible studies and groups in high school and college. ---
**Author:** ![kkalebw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.catholictalk.net/kkalebw/32/1654_2.png) [@kkalebw](https://forum.catholictalk.net/u/kkalebw)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.catholictalk.net/t/participating-in-protestant-youth-groups/4246/5 "2026-09-30T03:00:46Z")
Hi @LelouchViBr1tannia, I think you’re being wise. I did the Protestant youth group thing in high school and it quietly dulled my love for the Mass without me even noticing. Staying close to Confession and the Rosary kept me Catholic. You are not missing out, you are protecting something precious.