Ah, teenagers. Independent, passionate, creative, hungry, loud, argumentative, and growing. They are on the cusp of becoming adults, but not quite there yet. The age of wanting to be older, but lacking the maturity. It is a fun and tough age to parent all in one. I love being a mother of two teens. I have one that is almost ready to launch into adulthood and one that is just trying to figure out why she is so emotional and hasn't quite learned self-control yet. They are like bookends. I also have the privilege of leading a teen core group at our local Community Bible Study group and have really fallen in love with this group each year. I love being able to have real discussions with them about God's Word and how it applies to their worlds. I say "their worlds" because though we all live in the same fallen world, they each have their own perspective and some still think they are the sun in their own universe, while others have figured out that God is the center. I love the mix and that's what brought me to today's topic: mandatory church attendance for teens. Should we or should we not?
There are so many factors to consider here: their age, the church, the reasons, their peers, our own priorities and rules, etc.
Join me today as I dive into some of these and hopefully encourage and equip you with some ideas to help you if/when you have to make that decision. It's good to know ahead of time and have the plan to address this question. If only we could be prepared for all things that parenthood throws at us! Bless you on this journey we call parenting!
My Top 5 Reasons Teens Should Attend Church:
Community: Attending church can provide teenagers with a sense of belonging and connection to a community. They can meet and socialize with other teenagers who share their values and beliefs, which can be particularly important during adolescence when social connections are critical.
Spiritual growth: Church can provide teenagers with opportunities to learn about their faith, engage in religious practices, and reflect on their personal beliefs and values. This can help them develop a sense of purpose and direction in life.
Positive values: Churches often promote positive values such as kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and respect for others. Teenagers can benefit from exposure to these values and learn how to apply them in their daily lives.
Mentorship: Churches often have adult mentors or role models who can provide guidance and support for teenagers. These mentors can offer advice, help teenagers navigate challenging situations, and serve as positive examples.
Service opportunities: Churches often provide opportunities for teenagers to engage in service projects and give back to their communities. This can help them develop a sense of empathy and compassion, as well as leadership and teamwork skills.
Overall, attending church can provide teenagers with a supportive community, opportunities for spiritual growth, exposure to positive values, mentorship, and service opportunities. However, whether or not to attend church is ultimately a personal decision that should be based on individual beliefs, values, and preferences.
Scriptures in this Episode:
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