When I was a teen, I used to sit down once a day and open up my bible to a random verse, which I would then reflect on for the day. This was great, but it didn’t give me the focused daily study I craved. It was my youth pastor that gave me my first book of daily devotionals, and I never looked back. But that was before the Internet could be easily used for this purpose, and so I struggled to find the teen-centric books I desired. Modern-day teens can find a devotional every day from various websites, which make it easier than ever to have a steady focus on different passages, scriptures, and stories within the bible. You might wonder why this is any different than what I used to do, or even just daily reading. It is less the method, and more the depth that the devotional will Read More
What tempts you? Is it the chance to gorge on too much chocolate? A juicy rumor that is just dying to be passed on? That new girl who sits in front of you in Biology? Sins come in all shapes and sizes, and the things that tempt you into them can be just as broad. They can also be incredibly difficult to resist, and lapses can happen on an almost day to day basis. But there are ways to resist them, and all it takes is a little concentrated effort, and a knowledge of what to do. Next time you are confronted with an opportunity to sin, take the high road and use one of these methods to avoid it. Know your weak points. Identify what it is that tempts you the most, and what you are most likely to slip up on. Share the struggle. Do you have a close friend that you can talk to? Read More
So, you have been seeing your boyfriend/girlfriend for awhile, and everything seems to be going great. You are happy, committed, and feel that it has moved from the realms of casual dating and into love. This is a common place for teens who are going steady to find themselves. But it also raises some questions, and the most important is whether the love you are feeling is the love God intended for his children. Abuse, manipulation and other very grown-up problems face teens in relationships every day. When these issues arise, it may be hard to know who to turn to. You might not feel comfortable telling your parents or a pastor (though, this is ideal), and you might be too embarrassed or frightened to tell a friend. But you can always turn to the bible for answers, and in Corinthians we Read More
Everyone had lived this scenario: Your friend comes up to you and pulls you aside. In a hushed voice they tell you a rumor they had heard about you, and they want to know if it is true. It might be, or it might be a complete lie. What is so surprising is that it got around to them in the first place, and tracing the source back could be easy, or it could be impossible. Gossip is an unfortunate part of being a teenager, and can sometimes stretch into adulthood, as well. Sometimes the gossip is harmless enough, but the wider problem can stain so many lives that it is easy to see why it is discouraged. Despite this, it is more prevalent than ever, as we enter into an era of open, anonymous sharing via the web, texting, and social networking sites. But is being a gossip really a big deal? Read More
We all know what the bible says about having premarital sex, and especially about having sex with multiple partners. While this is a major part of why we abstain, there is a false belief from some that it is purely a biblical issue. There are many reasons outside of biblical ones that point to waiting until marriage as the preferable choice. Pregnancy. In the U.S. Alone, as many as 750,000 teens become pregnant every year, a stunningly high percentage. Nearly a third of these pregnancies end in abortions. You find similar numbers through the West, and while the rate has declined in recent years, it is still high. STD’s. Half of the tens of millions of cases of STD’s in the United States every year are in people between the ages of 14 and 19. In Read More
Bible studies are a dime a dozen. But the average group won’t always offer anything special to relate to the youth of today, and so many teens are opting to create their own bible study parties to read the word of God with friends their own age. If you have considered doing the same, there are a few tips you can easily follow by to get one started, and keep it going. Get a good teen devotional bible study guide. You can usually find fantastic deals at Christian bookstores on bulk devotional books. They may also have teen or student discounts, which will save the group as a whole a lot of money. You can also just use a teen-centered bible, and choose a verse or chapter to study each week, then discuss when you meet. Find a comfortable, Read More
A Christian teen is the same as every other Christian. On the one hand he has to obey the same rules, same duties and the same promises as any other Christian. On the other he may have tougher temptations to avoid while having less experience of living a Christian life. The purpose of every Christian is to live a pure life. A pure life glorifies God and people around us get to know God better. We all influence those around us, whether in a good or a bad way, through our attitude, our behavior, and through the words we say. And equally we are influenced by those around us. As a Christian we must be careful what influences we both receive and have on those around us. Christians are asked by God to be salt of the earth and light of the world. This means that we must not let ourselves be Read More
Friends are an important part of any teenagers life. They keep us grounded, lift us when we are sad, and give us someone to talk to and enjoy being with. But what do you do when your faith differs from theirs? What if they live a lifestyle the bible teaches us is wrong, or we just don’t agree with by our own personal boundaries? This is a very common question asked by teenagers of all faiths, and the struggle is likely as profound for them as it is for you, as a Christian. In the cases of those belief systems that are less tolerant towards those of other faiths, it may even be more of a struggle than your own. But, hard or not, what do we do about it? The bible is very clear about this issue. Jesus mixed with all sorts during his time on Earth. He told his believers that “it Read More
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