I get it, you're a teenager. You've been on this earth for a whopping 15-16 years. You must know everything by now! You're trying to be an adult; be independent, and the last thing you want is to be treated like a child. We don't want to ask for help. We don't want to sound stupid, or ask a stupid question. We don't want to sound needy or weak. We don't to sound 'un-spiritual' (like we're all "spiritual" anyway?!). To ask a question is admitting we don't know all the answers. We don't want to do that. And, you definitely don't want someone telling you what to do. And adult giving you instruction is demeaning to you. How dare they?! If that's your mindset, then I'm sorry. You're going to have a most miserable life! Do yourself a favor and re-think that whole 'wise kid' routine. The typical teen 'knows it all'. Do they not? But, look at the end result of their lives. That type of attitude stems from pride, and the Bible says, pride always leads to destruction. 1point2theOther deals with a lot with this mindset. If you have not read it before, I ask you to please read it now. Even before you continue reading this post. Did you read it? Good. Well then, let's continue. By now, I hope we established this point, "You know less that you think you do, and God-given authority knows more than you think they do." Christian leaders have been around a lot longer than you or I have, and they have seen, experience, and have more knowledgeable that we have. They have watched as generation after generation walk away from God. They know the signs. They have more wisdom and understanding than I think we give them credit for. They were teens once, too. All you have to do is listen and learn. Notice, that's a two step process. You can't let it end at hearing them. You must then learn. Proverbs 1.5; "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning..." Too often, teenagers don't learn from what people say. We brush their words off as the attitude that we know it all fills our heart. We don't really take what they say to heart. We also don't often learn from others mistakes, as if the end result is going to be different for them. We must choose to listen to and learn from others. On that note, we must be careful that who we are learning from is following Christ, otherwise, what we learn will be in vain. What good is it to learn something that is of no value; not true? We must carefully choose those whom we will gain counsel from. And most of your friends wouldn't be included in the 'knowledgeable counselors' category. They're usually seeking the same answer. Biblical counseling is free, but the price one pays for not following it is quite costly. Counsel is simple advice or guidance, specifically from a knowledgeable person. The Bible says a lot about counsel, especially in Proverbs. I will let the Proverbs speak for themselves. Proverbs 11.14, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 12.15,"The way of the fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise" Proverbs 15.22, "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established." Proverbs 19.20,"Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end." Proverbs 20.18, "Every purpose is established by counsel..." Proverbs 24.6, "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 26.12, "Seest thou a man in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him." Proverbs 1.5, "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels" You don't know as much as you think you do. They know more that you think they do. And you need them more than you think you do!!!!! Even christian teens aren't exempt from things 'bad kids' do or face. Even the 'good kids' face temptation. Even the strongest teenager needs encouragement and exhortation. Godly counsel is important! Proverbs 20.5 says, "Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out." Following that thought, I attempted to "draw it out". I asked and sent out emails to over 100 people in search for Biblical counsel; advice, exhortation, or challenges for Christian teenagers. (I enlisted some help on a few of them. Thanks, Jack.) The question I asked was, "If you could say one thing to Christian teens today, what would it be?". I was blessed through the response I got. With many, I seemed to leave them with a frustration loss of words. Others, let's just say, they definitely had no loss of words. The following are the quotes as they came to me. I will add nothing to them. I will introduce y'all to each of these men and women as we go along. In one way or another, they have touched my life. They're in no particular order, but I hope y'all take to heart what they have said. They didn't just say it to me, they said it to all of us! Don't just listen (or read) what they have said; Listen and learn. "Listen and learn." - Jack P. (Yes, I realize I said I wouldn't add anything to these, however, I just have to say, it's awesome how that this was his response when it's exactly my point (and title). God's good.) "It's easy to act like a Christian when around other Christians, but can you do it when others are watching?" - Steve P. "Put God first." - E.J. Watson "Just love God." - Eric W.
"HTTP://CARYSCHMIDT.COM/2010/11/THINGS-ID-LIKE-TO-SAY-TO-EVERY-YOUNG-ADULT/ " - Cary S. "Get to know the flow of the scripture, the thought patterns of God. Don't settle for memorizing alone. Get to know what God teaches, concentrating especially on what Paul says to the Christians in this age of grace. This will be your key to everything else." - Ben E."The first thing that comes to my mind is this quote (not sure where it came from): "Don't make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions." One day you will look back and will trace where you are in life to major decisions you made in high-school college. You will no doubt wish you could do some things over but I hope you will have made enough "good decisions" to be very happy with the person you have become in the Lord. Keep the faith! Endure hardness as a good soldier! - Rocky R. "...After working with teenagers for more than a decade there are a lot of things that I would like to say to them. I believe that the most crucial of these would be my answer to any person, "Find your value and satisfaction in Christ." If you really take the time to consider how valuable you are to Jesus, you will find value beyond your wildest dreams. Every young person (and every person for that matter) is trying to find value within themselves. They want their family, their friends, and even the world to find them valuable. The struggle is that apart from Christ we have no lasting value. Any value we bring to this world dies with us. What lives on is the relationship we have in Christ and Him alone, we can then be completely satisfied with the person God is transforming us into." - Steve M."I've been a Christian since I was 19. I didn't grow up in a Christian family. One thing I've learned in all those years of being saved is that the Christian life is a marathon. It really is. Many Christian leaders who I looked up to as a baby Christian are now our of the ministry for one reason or another. None of them are good reasons. I was shocked at first, but now I just shake my head and feel sand. But I also realize that could be me if I'm not totally committed to Jesus Christ daily.That is what teens need to do is to commit to Christ daily in a real and personal way. - The other thing I would say is that they need to become Christian apologeists. 500 years ago people lived in the 'dark ages', when information was kept from them and they were controlled by those stronger than them. Today we live in the "light ages" where information is available at a moments notice on the internet. Young people have a lot of questions. There are answers and Christian teens need to study to find the answers that will satisfy themselves and answer the skeptics that challenge them in this day and age." - Paul M."Learn from others mistakes. Do not look at those that are having fun drinking, drugging, and having sex outside the boundaries of marriage, take a look at those that are paying the price for those that are paying the price for those same things; ie, those that have been in accidents because of alcohol and driving; those that are in drug dependency centers or jail because of using drugs; those that are pregnant as a result of having casual sex, or have contracted STD's. There is much to be learned by others mistakes. - 1 CORINTHIANS 10.12, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." - Bill M."#1: Fall in love with Jesus! There is nothing greater in this world (you) can do than love Him with all (your) heart, soul, and mind. Secondly, love those around (you) with the love of Christ. Jesus Himself said that is the greater commandment. I could say a lot of things about what to do and relationship with others, or how to dress, or what music to listen to, but the truth is, that is all external fruit in our life. It is all based from the heart. If our heart is right toward Christ in loving Him as we should, the fruit will be correct." - Kurt C."Follow God, not your friends." - Edward F."Live bait is always better than artificial." |
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January 2023
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