This blog is a great resource for all things concerning our youth group but one of the driving forces behind starting it up was to equip parents with the tools necessary to minister to their youth. To meet that goal helpful articles will be posted each week.
This is an article I came across recently and its makes some good points on why we need strong parent involvement in our teens lives.
1. Develop In Your Teen A Personal Faith In God. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might…” Certainly raising our children and developing spiritual relationships is the ultimate “whatever.” Parenthood is one of the most pressure-packed vocations a person can experience, so “all your might” is not an option, but a requirement. Tie each moment to God and not to a phrase like, “Because I said so.” Explain and model the spiritual significance of your decisions.
2. Families Are Collapsing. Families are falling apart at a rapid rate. Children are being neglected because of parents’ jobs, abuse, and divorce. Many families no longer communicate as in previous decades because of media, music, and microwaves, just to name a few. How firm is your household's foundation? Is there serious rotting among your relationships? Study the structure of your family. How much time do you share together? When was the last meal that brought the entire crew to the table? Set aside a minimum of one night per week to eat and discuss your relationships.
3. Teen Sexuality. Teens seem to no longer be afraid of diseases or pregnancy. Many girls give their bodies to the nearest “I love you.” Guys forfeit their virginity to prove their manhood, and all of this is wrapped in the heated hormones of adolescence. Teach teens the reason behind God’s rules of purity. Read Ephesians 5:3 & I Corinthians 6:19-20 together and talk about God’s desires compared to the heart’s desires.
4. Teen Substance Abuse Is On The Incline. The University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research reports that 54.3 percent of students had used an illicit drug by the time they reached their senior year of high school. Each year more and more teens become alcoholics, and nicotine & drug addicts. They use these substances to escape life, to end life, or to live up to the expectations of their peers. Inform yourself about substance risks, then inform your teen without accusing him or her. Log on to http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDAHome2.html for information and statistics about teens and drugs.
5. Unhealthy Media Overload. We are parenting the first wireless generation as proven by the comic strip Zits. Jeremy texts his mom from upstairs to ask what’s for dinner? No one has to meet face-to-face, or even voice-to-voice. Texts, Emails and chat rooms replace personal interaction most of the time. First, talk and listen. Even if it’s just to ask, “How was your day?” Second, regulate the media influences by getting unplugged. Set aside specific periods each week where the television, radio, computer, will be unplugged and use that time to share your lives. Never allow people or events to come into your home via media that you would not have in person. Also, consider blocks on your computer to keep certain sites out of your home.
6. Morality Is On The Decline. If sitcoms and teen nighttime soap operas reflect the values of today's young person, we can assume that premarital sexual activity, binge drinking, and hurting others to get ahead have become the new standards. Create on paper a set of core values for your family. What areas as a family, not just for your teen, will you refuse to compromise? What standards will become nonnegotiable?
7. Peer Pressure Will Always Be An Issue. Acceptance and love remains the number one longing of today's young person. The need to fit in can be so overwhelming that teenagers will lower their virtues in order to match a certain peer group. Guide your teen toward God-esteem instead of self-esteem. Explore Romans 5:6-8 with your child.
8. Teen Violence Is Increasing. The massacres at Columbine High School and other institutions uncovered the eyes of society in relation to teen brutality. Even more shocking is the recent incident involving the rape of a four-year-old girl by an eight-year-old boy. Increase your awareness of your children’s activities without prying. Do you know the names of their friends? Do you know where they spend their time? Are you aware of the influences that touch their lives? Do you know where they are gong via the internet?
9. To Provide A Safe Haven. Teenagers are prone to adopt an “everyone is against me” attitude. Their friend’s tend to gossip. Dating relationships dissolve. Cheerleading and sports don’t always deliver the popularity they promise. Home needs to be a place where teens know they won’t be judged wrongfully, or be expected to live up to some unattainable expectation.
10. Society's Spiritual Exploration. That sounds positive, doesn't it? The danger is that our culture is exploring every form of spirituality from crystals to angel worship. Spirituality is on the rise, but Christianity is not the fastest growing spiritual group. Stress relationship over ritual. Many methods of spirituality focus on freedom rather than faith. The Father desires followers who trust in Him, not those seeking fulfillment through their own power (Read Hebrews 11).
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