She felt like a failure as a parent. Her husband always assured her that she was a wonderful mother for their children, but she found that hard to believe. They had two teenagers, both of whom had lost interest in church. The church had been such an important part of their family life during the earlier years of their childhood. Now the teenagers had lost all interest in church and never wanted to attend. Occasionally, they attended just to make their mother happy. She was always asking her husband, "Where did I fail as a mother?" She thought that she was doing all the right things as a parent. Now she felt like a failure.
Parenting with Kingdom Purpose is a book by Richard Ross and Ken Hemphill, which looks at Bible teaching and the National Study of Youth and Religion. The study indicated that 70% of youth in the USA leave the church in the teen years. This is a survey of teenagers from evangelical churches. It indicates leaving church usually happens after high school graduation. It's at this time that what the world has to offer them often becomes more important than faith and family values. The authors offer good scriptural and practical advice.
Points to Consider
After high school graduation, peer pressure increases which leads many teenagers to go in a different direction in life. Sometime that direction is far away from their values in the family of origin. They are exposed to new ideas and lifestyles.
Teenagers have a free will and choose their own way. This does not necessarily mean that their parents have failed. They are now searching for their own identity and look at alternative lifestyles. However, positive, loving parents make an impact on teenagers that will be remembered for a lifetime.
The prodigal son (Luke 15) in no way went astray because of poor parenting. He simply tried a new direction for his life, against the values of his family. It proved to be a bad choice. He came home to family values and faith in God.
Parents need not panic when teenagers make mistakes and bad choices. It's a time for parental patience and steadfast love. Unconditional acceptance and forgiveness are traits of loving parents.
Helping teenagers discover their unique abilities, talents and ministry gifts are important. In essence, parents can be proactive in helping teenagers discover who God has made them to be. Gift inventories are available through most Christian bookstores. When teenagers know who they are in Christ, they can use their talents and gifts with a genuine sense of their God-given identity. Parents and teenagers can celebrate who God made them to be.
Parenting with Kingdom Purpose is a book by Richard Ross and Ken Hemphill, which looks at Bible teaching and the National Study of Youth and Religion. The study indicated that 70% of youth in the USA leave the church in the teen years. This is a survey of teenagers from evangelical churches. It indicates leaving church usually happens after high school graduation. It's at this time that what the world has to offer them often becomes more important than faith and family values. The authors offer good scriptural and practical advice.
Points to Consider
After high school graduation, peer pressure increases which leads many teenagers to go in a different direction in life. Sometime that direction is far away from their values in the family of origin. They are exposed to new ideas and lifestyles.
Teenagers have a free will and choose their own way. This does not necessarily mean that their parents have failed. They are now searching for their own identity and look at alternative lifestyles. However, positive, loving parents make an impact on teenagers that will be remembered for a lifetime.
The prodigal son (Luke 15) in no way went astray because of poor parenting. He simply tried a new direction for his life, against the values of his family. It proved to be a bad choice. He came home to family values and faith in God.
Parents need not panic when teenagers make mistakes and bad choices. It's a time for parental patience and steadfast love. Unconditional acceptance and forgiveness are traits of loving parents.
Helping teenagers discover their unique abilities, talents and ministry gifts are important. In essence, parents can be proactive in helping teenagers discover who God has made them to be. Gift inventories are available through most Christian bookstores. When teenagers know who they are in Christ, they can use their talents and gifts with a genuine sense of their God-given identity. Parents and teenagers can celebrate who God made them to be.
