Resources & Tips:

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What does God have to say about justice? We’re glad you asked, because many teenagers are asking this question! Here are a few ideas to help them find the answer: 1) Point out injustices in the news or your community. 2) Ask for their perspective. 3) Point out wrongs that are being made right. 4) Do something together to make the world more just.

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What can you do to help your teenager make worship a regular part of their lives outside of church? 1) Teach them what worship really is. 2) Talk about how you worship outside of church. 3) Give them new ideas about how to worship. 4) Remind them to worship often.

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Your teenagers might be facing some major disappointments for the first time in their lives—and they need you to help guide them through it. Here's how: 1) Let them feel it. 2) Offer perspective. 3) Share your stories of disappointment. 4) Assure them they'll be okay.

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There are four spiritual habits we all need to grow spiritually: spend time with God, spend time with others in healthy community, share your stories of faith, and use your gifts to serve. So for you and your teenager, what is one next step you could individually take in each of these areas? Your next step might be to learn a new strategy for studying Scripture, while your teenager's next step might be to just read one verse—just one!

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When it comes to boundaries with your teenager, always trust, but verify. Assume your kid is making wise choices, but put boundaries and checkpoints in place so you can make sure your assumptions are correct. You can decide the checkpoints that work best for you and your kid. Just be honest and clear about what they are. Honestly builds trust, both ways.

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We probably tell our teenagers that they can change the world, but do we mean "someday" or "today"? And are we actually giving them the tools they need to become the leaders we say they can become? Here are a few things we can do to help every teenager learn to lead right now: 1. Let them lead (and serve) now. 2. Give them responsibility. 3. Help them develop leadership skills. 4. Celebrate their efforts.

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Think about someone who shaped your future because of their influence during your teenage years. Someone who made you who you are today. Seriously, do it. Right now. Got a name? Great. Now consider this. In a few years, what will your teenager say you've instilled in them? And what voices (besides yours) are helping to shape them? If you're not sure, don't let this week go by without recruiting another trusted adult to help you influence your teenager.

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When we talk with teenagers about loving others (including our enemies), we have to talk about empathy. Take a few minutes this week to learn from LATASHA MORRISON about how to cultivate empathy for people who aren't like us or who we don't like. Because empathy is often the first step toward love, forgiveness, and changing the world.

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Your teenager is in the middle of an identity crisis, but there's something you can do to help. Tell them more stories. Your teen probably doesn't seem very interested in your stories of your teenage years, but this is really important. When you share your personal stories of what it was like to be a teenager, you help normalize their experience and assure them that what they're thinking, feeling, and experiencing isn't all that weird.

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Parents Matter:

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86% of youth who are members of a church but are not engaged in church identify with

  1. Being too busy and

  2. Lack of interest of parents as the main challenge to their faith formation. 

 

50.5% of youth who are engaged in faith formation at their church credit their parents for encouraging their involvement. (sources: Barna / Youth Specialties & Ministry to Children)

 

Upon graduating from high school:

1 out of 10 youth lose faith in Christianity

4 out of 10 youth leave the church

2 out of 10 youth disconnect from the church until married or married with children

3 out of 10 stay involved with the church

(source: book: You Lost Me)

 

Future Success:

87% of protestant young adults who remained engaged in the church identify parents, friends and/or a mentor as influential in their faith formation. 

 

74% of protestant young adults who were engaged in church state that their teenage faith formation was central to identifying their vocational passions and career interests. (source: Barna/Youth Specialties)

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Quotes to make you smile:

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• “Parenting wouldn’t be so hard if we didn’t care how our kids turned out.”

• “Being a parent is like folding a fitted sheet … no one really knows how.”

• “If parenthood came with a GPS it would mostly say: Recalculating!

 

God … as parent:

 

• God’s patience and kindness never runs out.

• God is always approachable.

• God is merciful and always forgiving.

• God wants the very best for you.

• God shares wisdom generously.

• God lets you make your own choices.

• God is genuine and authentic.

• God is relatable and present.

• God is honest and truthful.

• God is “okay” with questions.

 

Now, reread the list but replace “God” with … “you” as a parent.  

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1. Our goal is not to be perfect parents, or to create perfect kids. It is to point our kids to the perfect God.

2. One of the greatest complements we can receive as parents is for our kids to know that they are loved!

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