A prayer of humility and desire.
2 years ago
Monday, September 15, 2008
What things are most essential to the spiritual growth of teenagers?
Post your comments about "what things you believe are the most essential to the spiritual growth of teenagers?" Your responses will be compiled to help gather information about what things are most essential to the spiritual growth and development of teenagers.
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16 comments:
I believe that parents who spend time investing in the spiritual growth of their children is key to their spiritual growth.
You're up at 12:18 AM?! Most essential: that their relationship with God is based on their knowledge and belief (not parent's beliefs, church's beliefs, etc), having their closest of friends hold them accountable,and a place where they can feel safe in exploring their beliefs - why they believe that, feeling safe to ask questions.
parents first, then friends, and then adults they can open up to.
I agree with Nancy - the belief in God must be their own, otherwise it's meaningless. They must see for themselves the power, grace, and mercy of God. It's one thing to tell someone, it's something very different to experience it on your own. They must also see the adults in their lives as authentic lovers of God that pray, study His word, and live lives that aren't perfect but that reflect their love of God. It's very difficult for a teenager to have a life that's on fire for the Lord, if his/her parents are not Christians and are not supportive, and even if they claim to be Christians, they MUST demonstrate it, otherwise their kids view them as hypocrits.
My parents dropped me off at church and picked me up, so I was exposed to the word only at church. Other loving adults in my church drew me closer. It is amazing I can't name them all, but I remember being impacted at my church camp by leaders encouraging me to make great choices. They had me journaling prayers and it lead me to Young Life, Campaigners, and other studies. In our current day, the enemy is all the distractions that steal our time and their time. Available time is essential to spiritual growth. Many kids are on overload and overbooked by parents trying to keep them "out of trouble". They have to be sold on the investment and the return it will have.
Being real with them and letting them know that it's okay to have questions about faith. Some kids feel that if they have doubts, they must not really be a Christian. I feel if they have adults (hopefully their parents, but adult volunteers will do also) whom they feel like they can go to, without judgment, their faith will grow from those questions.
1) Personal receptiveness to God and the work He wants to do in their lives.
2)Influence (and example) of parents, other adults, and friends.
I believe spiritual growth in teens happens when they have a change in the way they think to be a Christ centered focus. They must be more interested in what Christ thinks of their actions then what their friends think of their actions. Once they develop that way of thinking, it turns into an attitude which turns into actions and thus becomes a lifestyle.
Teenagers need encouragement and support from their family and friends. The role of youth workers is huge in challenging them and keeping them accountable.
Tony R
Having a spiritual role model that they both respect and enjoy being around. Ideally this would be a parent but could also be a friend or counselor.
They need to be given the opportunity to experience God by serving him.
They need Godly parents or someone else to help them with the struggles they have.
They need Godly friends, remember last week "well there was these friends"
We've all heard the term "Quality Time." We are big believers in quality time. However, in our experiences with our own children, and our children's friends, the only way to get to that quality time is through QUANTITY of time. It calls for a commitment of your own personal time, but the investment certainly returns great rewards. Once we've spent time with our kids just being silly and stupid and gross and playful and "out there", there comes a point where barriers have been broken down and things that would not have initially been divulged start flowing out. That's when it's time to spend MORE TIME just listening. Not judging or criticizing....just listening. There will then come a time when you will be asked, "How did you handle this when you were my age?" or "What am I suppose to do?" That's when your experiences (good or bad) become some of God's valuable teachable moments. Words of wisdom spoken to a young heart eager for answers and willing to accept yours.
I agree with lbowen.. One on one talk time with your teen, which is usually in the late night hours is essential. It shows them how important they are to you as well as what they have to say. Being the mother of a teen daughter, I am able to share with her some of my own struggles and how I work thru them with the Lord. She is able to see my imperfections and yet still the faithfulness of our Lord and how much He loves us!
Fellowship with other believers. Making sure that their closest friends, if not all, are christians. That means staying away from certain "friends" that may hurt our walk with the Lord. Creating good consistant habits of reading and studying their Bibles; going to church on a regular basis and making those Godly things a priority. We as parents need to model to our teenagers the same Godly values. Expect and maintain high standards in all aspects of their lives. Sharing the gospel with others in a loving, non condesending way.
I like having good friends that have the same beliefs and ideas that you do so you can hang out with them and know they won't do bad things.
I like having good friends that have the same beliefs and ideas that you do so you can hang out with them and know they won't do bad things.
I think a large portion of spiritual growth comes from what our kids see modeled. Whether it be with role models, friends or parents. As a parent I can send my son to church, tell him to read his Bible, say his prayers, sing the songs but if he doesn't see spritual growth ocurring in me he won't see the application. As one survey states:
“We Learn . . .
10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we discuss
80% of what we experience
95% of what we teach others.”
If we line up what we day and what we do, our kids have a better chance to grow spititually.
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