Parents AND Teens in Christ Note: The term parent here and in the following items refers to all kinds of parenting adults—birth, step, foster, or guardian. Does it seem like someone is telling you that the church is the only one equipped to pump faith into kids. If you’ve gotten the message, "drop off your kids on Sunday mornings — we’ll take it from there," sorry, we’re sending the wrong message! Parents are meant to have the primary role in teaching and discipling their children. The biggest responsibility a parent has in life is the process of discipling their children. Deuteronomy 6:7-9 tells us that we are to teach God's Word everywhere we go...when we sit, walk, lie down, get up, tie them around our hands, and write them everywhere you go. Because this is such a huge responsibility, any parent can get overwhelmed with the task. So, what can be done and how can we effectively disciple our teens? Here are three things to get you started. First, “use words if necessary." How you live and model your life is so important in the spiritual development of your teen. When you do this, you are literally teaching the Word of God everywhere you go. Second, once you live it, the words you say will further instruct and encourage your teen's relationship with Christ. Talking often to your teen about Christian values will help ensure right decisions later. Third, surround your teen with a group of people to help you equip him/her for spiritual maturity. The church is a community that works together to teach, instruct, and encourage each other. Don't push the responsibility of discipling your teen on other people, but use these people to come along side you for help and support.   PulsePulsePulsePulsePulsePulsePulse Do you find any of these results surprising? Teens were asked, "Who is your biggest hero?" (top 5 responses) 34% - A Parent 22% - A Pastor/Spiritual Leader 20% - Other 8% - Musician 7% - Teacher/Coach (family.org)   Does your family regularly attend church and participate in at least one act of service a month? 10% - Yes 88% - No 2% - I don’t get it? (Pastors.com)   More-Than-Segregated Programs The predominant mind-set in Christian education concerning families has long been that to “strengthen the whole you must strengthen the parts.” But families need more from church life than segregated programs and the occasional all-church activity. Many of our church activities actually pull family members apart from each other. The following are practical ways for parents to partner with the church. 1.  If you want to bring about change, start with yourself. If you have a teen, let others see you partner with your teen’s youth leader and other adults who work with your kids at church. 2.  Be intentional about sharing the impact those partnerships are making in your family. Use whatever soapbox you can find or create to tell others that God is reaching your youth with your involvement inside and outside of church. 3.  Remember, the goal isn’t just to have kids spend time with you, their parents. Rather, the goal is to equip and motivate parents to be their kids’ teachers, shepherds, and heroes!   THE PARENT POVPoint of View Ever wonder what your teen thinks about you being his/her primary discipler? Try asking them the best way to teach them about being a Christian. Here are some questions to start this process: 1. If you could choose to be discipled by any one person, who would you choose and why? 2. On a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), how important do you think it is to learn about God from someone other than yourself? Why do you think that? 3. Who do you think is primarily responsible for teaching you about Christ: yourself, your parents, your Student Minister, or your friends? Why? Do you think they are doing a good job? Why or why not? 4. Do you find it hard to learn from and listen to your parents about what they have to say about God? Why or why not?   GOD AND YOUR FAMILY Pray that: 1. God will give your family the desire to spend time each week actually practicing Christianity and keeping each other accountable. 2. God will help you live a life that will disciple your teen by the example you set, not just by what you say. 3. God will give your teen the burning desire to know Him more and to make Him known to others. 4. God will surround your family with a community of friends and family that will pray for and encourage your family as each of you learn and grow in your relationship with Christ.   VERSE OF THE MONTH Train a child in the way he(She) should go, and when he(she) is old he(She) will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)This is an incredible verse for parents because it contains the promise that if you train your child to follow God, they will not turn from Him. When you train for something, it takes time, effort, and energy. There is no difference when you are training your teen to follow God's ways. The phrase "in the way he should go" is more than just teaching them about God. It also requires parents to help their teen find their God-given passion and help them figure out how to use it for Gos’s glory. Remember that the responsibility is on the parent AND the teen. Teens are going to make mistakes, but a parent, knowing that their teen will learn from their mistakes, must not lose faith or give up,   DID YOU KNOW... * Only four percent of teens can be considered “strong” Christians, down from 10 percent in 1995. An overwhelming majority of teens say they are "Christian," but their responses to a few simple questions concerning biblical doctrine clearly demonstrate that they don’t know how to live what they believe. (worldnetdaily.com) * The more involved the family is in religious activities done together, the more likely the teenager is to engage in religious activity, to expect to continue those religious pursuits upon leaving home, and to perceive religion to be significant and additive to life. (barna.org) Religion                        % of U.S. Pop. Christianity                  76.5% Nonreligious/Secular    13.2% Judaism                         1.3% Islam                             0.5% Agnostic                        0.5% Wiccan/Pagan/Druid      0.1% Scientology                    0.02% (Adherents.com)    TRENDS It is almost prom time again! Here are some tips from fashion.about.com: For girls it's all about: *interesting necklines *pretty fabrics *sparkling touches For guys try: *smooth cufflinks *funky lapel trim *bow tie or regular necktie *monochromatic look   FilmWatch The Benchwarmers - PG-13 For crude and suggestive humor and for language. Comedy Alpha Dog - R For drug use, language, strong violence, sexuality and nudity. Drama Waist Deep - R For  strong violence and pervasive language. Action/adventure drama