Parenting Teens: Take Positive Steps
Friday, June 23, 2023
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Your child's teenage years can be wonderful or difficult, but in every instance, they will be challenging. You need to face these challenges as a person of prayer.
God has much-needed advice for your teenager. In his Word, you will find an abundance of information about promiscuity, substance abuse, the importance of godly friends, and his constant protection of those he loves. Seek out these scriptures. Learn from them. Prayerfully share them with your teen at appropriate times.
Think back through your own adolescent years. What helped you? What frustrated you? Consider right and wrong choices you made. Ask God to open your eyes. What did you learn that may help your teen deal with similar challenges and emotions?
Consider this …
Try to have at least one room in your home where your teen can invite friends - a place they can lounge and be comfortable. Invite other teens into your home regularly. Serve refreshments like popcorn or pizza. Offer to have youth Bible studies in your home.
Make your teen's friends welcome, but also set boundaries so your child knows what behavior is acceptable and what is not. Consistently enforce those boundaries.
And remember always to keep the communication channels open. Learn to listen more than you talk. And through it all, lean on Jesus. With him, all things are possible.
Prayer
Father, thank you for my child. These teen years are challenging for both of us. I thank you for your promise that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. I pray for wisdom in dealing with these challenges in positive ways and that these adolescent years will help my child mature into a loving young adult, rich in the character of Christ. In his name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …. Godly Parenting: Parenting Skills at Each Stage of Growth by N. Elizabeth Holland, M.D. This study addresses parenting skills from the time of conception until the child has reached adulthood. It suggests methods for raising healthy, godly children in an increasingly secular society. Specific emphasis is placed on communication and teaching skills, discipline, protection and sexual issues at each age. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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