- Dec 20, 2019
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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Do you recall what it was like to be a teenager? It’s been a while for me, but I remember vividly that my friends’ opinions were highly influential at that stage of my life. This dynamic is common among teens and is a significant reason why teenagers can be the most influential disciples for their peers.
As a young person, I was always close to the Lord. My mother significantly impacted my spiritual growth, instilling in me a deep love for God. We prayed daily, asking God to provide for our needs and thanking Him for our blessings. Although we were not materially wealthy, we were spiritually rich. However, as I entered my teen years, my friends greatly impacted my decision-making. I valued their opinions to fit in and be popular among my peers.
How can we raise teenagers to become Christ’s best disciples for their friends and peers? How can we help them stay strong in their faith when the world is desperately trying to persuade them to walk away and join today’s anti-Christian culture?
Statistics state that 80% of people who come to Christ do so by age 18. Interestingly, statistics also show that teens come to Christ faster than adults. Unfortunately, many are walking away from their faith. It is important to recognize a child’s worldview starts to take shape at around 15 months and is typically formed by age 16.
Pew Internet & American Life Project survey indicates that the average teen has at least 425 online and face-to-face friends. A 15-year-old who posts a viral biblical message can reach more people than ever. Social media can be a powerful tool used for good!
According to many experts, many of Jesus’s disciples were likely teenagers. He equipped them to become evangelical messengers of the living word – Jesus Christ. When we equip our teens to become strong disciples, they learn how to “die to self” and put others first, becoming servants because they understand they are influencing souls for all eternity. They can become selfless instead of selfish, others-focused rather than self-centered.
The process begins at home. How we behave, speak, and interact in our home reveals who we are and shapes our children’s hearts and minds. I have repeatedly stated this truth in my podcast episodes: “More is caught than taught.” We must create a home environment that reflects the values of heaven. One thing you can easily do is to write down how you spend your time at home and how you interact with your family.
This will help you determine what you should or should not change. A child’s home has a life-altering impact on their worldview. The word of God tells us to live on earth as if we are living in heaven. A home that is a slice of heaven will look vastly different from an earthly home that is not focused on eternal things.
Prioritize the critical spiritual assets. Reflect on how often you pray at home. Study the word of God, listen to worship music, prepare to serve others, read Christian materials, and watch Christian movies. Do you have a family mission statement or a disciplinary contract? Do you discuss how you will serve others and the community as a family? Is your family active in the church? These are key questions for family self-reflection to help your family plan how you will grow in faith, serve the Lord, and serve others.
A teenager might have one of the most challenging relationships with their parents as they strive to become independent individuals rather than an extension of them. When children understand the importance of honoring their parents and others, and the reasons behind it, they learn to prioritize others.
As children comprehend how and why to respect authority, they learn to exceed expectations, embodying the true meaning of honor. Engage in conversations with your teen about specific ways they can honor God and their friends. They will become effective disciples as they “ . . .honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 19:19 NIV)
Encourage Your Teen to Stick With Jesus
Get this free video series called “Raising Your Teen to be a Resilient Christian” which will provide essential help as you navigate the spiritual journey your teen is on.
Start Today!
Help your teens understand the importance of choosing friends who positively influence their faith. Discuss how to form healthy friendships and the importance of loving others, even those who may be difficult to love. However, remind them of the biblical principle not to “. . . give dogs what is sacred; do now throw your pearls to pigs.” (Matthew 7:6 NIV)
Be the example for them. Are you choosing your friends wisely and loving the unlovable? We can love like God loves, but keep in mind that there will always be those who will not respond to our love.
Teach your teen how to identify opportunities to bring God’s word into the conversation and be helpful without judging harshly. For example, your teen tells you they have a friend who is questioning whether God is real and says your teen is a fool for believing. This is where unconditional love and non-judgment come in. Their friend is lost and needs a friend to lovingly guide them.
This starts by having an honest conversation, not a negative one. Your teen can ask their friend why they feel this way. This is the first step in apologetics, building a bridge of trusted communication. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
You can role-play various conversations with your teens that they might encounter. Role-playing equips your teen with the confidence to handle real-life situations and prepare thoughtful, compassionate responses.
For example, they might come across a friend crying in the school bathroom because her parents are upset about her belief in God, or they might have a friend considering drugs as a way to cope with problems at home. Through role-playing, you can help your teen develop empathetic and effective ways to respond. Teach your teen biblical perspectives and values that will enable them to support their friends in these challenging situations.
Encourage your teen to deepen their biblical knowledge through Bible study, participation in youth groups, regular church attendance, and engagement with Christian literature and media. The more they know, the more confident they will be in their faith and sharing it with others. Be open to discussing your teen’s doubts and questions about their faith. It’s normal for teenagers to question as they seek understanding. Providing a safe space for these discussions helps them explore their faith more deeply and solidify their beliefs.
Technology is a major part of a teen’s life. It is important to stay engaged with your teen’s social media activity. It can help you understand what they’re interested in, who they are acting with, and if they are encountering any issues online. Guide your teen on how to use technology and social media safely and positively. Encourage them to be a positive influence online by spreading kindness and the love of Christ to their extensive network of friends and followers. Teach them to use their online presence to uplift others and share meaningful messages, helping them navigate the digital world with integrity and purpose.
Instill in your teen the importance of prayer. Encourage them to make prayer a regular practice, both individually and in group settings. Prayer fortifies their connection with God, providing guidance, strength, and comfort. Be a role model by exemplifying the commitment and dedication of a true prayer warrior. Show them through your actions how a strong prayer life can positively influence their faith and daily living, helping them to become effective disciples for Christ.
Finally, support your teen in building resilience. Equip them to handle challenges, peer pressure, and temptations with grace and strength. Encourage them to rely on God during difficult times and trust in His plan for their lives. Show them how to draw on their faith for courage and perseverance. How they navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence and hope is an outward expression of their faith and trust in God.
This journey demands patience, love, and commitment, but its rewards are everlasting. Your teen has the potential to make a profound impact on their peers, leading them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and nurturing a lifelong love for God. This will be their most significant achievement. Who knows—you might be raising the next Billy Graham of their generation!
The post Raising Christian Teens to Be Effective Disciples appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
Do you recall what it was like to be a teenager? It’s been a while for me, but I remember vividly that my friends’ opinions were highly influential at that stage of my life. This dynamic is common among teens and is a significant reason why teenagers can be the most influential disciples for their peers.
As a young person, I was always close to the Lord. My mother significantly impacted my spiritual growth, instilling in me a deep love for God. We prayed daily, asking God to provide for our needs and thanking Him for our blessings. Although we were not materially wealthy, we were spiritually rich. However, as I entered my teen years, my friends greatly impacted my decision-making. I valued their opinions to fit in and be popular among my peers.
Teens as evangelist
How can we raise teenagers to become Christ’s best disciples for their friends and peers? How can we help them stay strong in their faith when the world is desperately trying to persuade them to walk away and join today’s anti-Christian culture?
Statistics state that 80% of people who come to Christ do so by age 18. Interestingly, statistics also show that teens come to Christ faster than adults. Unfortunately, many are walking away from their faith. It is important to recognize a child’s worldview starts to take shape at around 15 months and is typically formed by age 16.
Pew Internet & American Life Project survey indicates that the average teen has at least 425 online and face-to-face friends. A 15-year-old who posts a viral biblical message can reach more people than ever. Social media can be a powerful tool used for good!
According to many experts, many of Jesus’s disciples were likely teenagers. He equipped them to become evangelical messengers of the living word – Jesus Christ. When we equip our teens to become strong disciples, they learn how to “die to self” and put others first, becoming servants because they understand they are influencing souls for all eternity. They can become selfless instead of selfish, others-focused rather than self-centered.
Discipleship begins at home
The process begins at home. How we behave, speak, and interact in our home reveals who we are and shapes our children’s hearts and minds. I have repeatedly stated this truth in my podcast episodes: “More is caught than taught.” We must create a home environment that reflects the values of heaven. One thing you can easily do is to write down how you spend your time at home and how you interact with your family.
This will help you determine what you should or should not change. A child’s home has a life-altering impact on their worldview. The word of God tells us to live on earth as if we are living in heaven. A home that is a slice of heaven will look vastly different from an earthly home that is not focused on eternal things.
Nurturing faith through spiritual practices
Prioritize the critical spiritual assets. Reflect on how often you pray at home. Study the word of God, listen to worship music, prepare to serve others, read Christian materials, and watch Christian movies. Do you have a family mission statement or a disciplinary contract? Do you discuss how you will serve others and the community as a family? Is your family active in the church? These are key questions for family self-reflection to help your family plan how you will grow in faith, serve the Lord, and serve others.
A teenager might have one of the most challenging relationships with their parents as they strive to become independent individuals rather than an extension of them. When children understand the importance of honoring their parents and others, and the reasons behind it, they learn to prioritize others.
As children comprehend how and why to respect authority, they learn to exceed expectations, embodying the true meaning of honor. Engage in conversations with your teen about specific ways they can honor God and their friends. They will become effective disciples as they “ . . .honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 19:19 NIV)
Encourage Your Teen to Stick With Jesus
in a World That Denies Him
Get this free video series called “Raising Your Teen to be a Resilient Christian” which will provide essential help as you navigate the spiritual journey your teen is on.Start Today!
The importance of friendship
Help your teens understand the importance of choosing friends who positively influence their faith. Discuss how to form healthy friendships and the importance of loving others, even those who may be difficult to love. However, remind them of the biblical principle not to “. . . give dogs what is sacred; do now throw your pearls to pigs.” (Matthew 7:6 NIV)
Be the example for them. Are you choosing your friends wisely and loving the unlovable? We can love like God loves, but keep in mind that there will always be those who will not respond to our love.
Teach your teen how to identify opportunities to bring God’s word into the conversation and be helpful without judging harshly. For example, your teen tells you they have a friend who is questioning whether God is real and says your teen is a fool for believing. This is where unconditional love and non-judgment come in. Their friend is lost and needs a friend to lovingly guide them.
This starts by having an honest conversation, not a negative one. Your teen can ask their friend why they feel this way. This is the first step in apologetics, building a bridge of trusted communication. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
Equipping teens for faithful conversations
You can role-play various conversations with your teens that they might encounter. Role-playing equips your teen with the confidence to handle real-life situations and prepare thoughtful, compassionate responses.
For example, they might come across a friend crying in the school bathroom because her parents are upset about her belief in God, or they might have a friend considering drugs as a way to cope with problems at home. Through role-playing, you can help your teen develop empathetic and effective ways to respond. Teach your teen biblical perspectives and values that will enable them to support their friends in these challenging situations.
Strengthening faith through study
Encourage your teen to deepen their biblical knowledge through Bible study, participation in youth groups, regular church attendance, and engagement with Christian literature and media. The more they know, the more confident they will be in their faith and sharing it with others. Be open to discussing your teen’s doubts and questions about their faith. It’s normal for teenagers to question as they seek understanding. Providing a safe space for these discussions helps them explore their faith more deeply and solidify their beliefs.
Guiding teens through a digital age
Technology is a major part of a teen’s life. It is important to stay engaged with your teen’s social media activity. It can help you understand what they’re interested in, who they are acting with, and if they are encountering any issues online. Guide your teen on how to use technology and social media safely and positively. Encourage them to be a positive influence online by spreading kindness and the love of Christ to their extensive network of friends and followers. Teach them to use their online presence to uplift others and share meaningful messages, helping them navigate the digital world with integrity and purpose.
Fostering prayer
Instill in your teen the importance of prayer. Encourage them to make prayer a regular practice, both individually and in group settings. Prayer fortifies their connection with God, providing guidance, strength, and comfort. Be a role model by exemplifying the commitment and dedication of a true prayer warrior. Show them through your actions how a strong prayer life can positively influence their faith and daily living, helping them to become effective disciples for Christ.
Encouraging resilience
Finally, support your teen in building resilience. Equip them to handle challenges, peer pressure, and temptations with grace and strength. Encourage them to rely on God during difficult times and trust in His plan for their lives. Show them how to draw on their faith for courage and perseverance. How they navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence and hope is an outward expression of their faith and trust in God.
Conclusion
This journey demands patience, love, and commitment, but its rewards are everlasting. Your teen has the potential to make a profound impact on their peers, leading them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and nurturing a lifelong love for God. This will be their most significant achievement. Who knows—you might be raising the next Billy Graham of their generation!
The post Raising Christian Teens to Be Effective Disciples appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
