Some Things to Keep In Mind when Working with Teenagers..........

Psalm 71:18

Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come!

 

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach concerning the importance of reaching the next generation for the Lord. In doing local surveys in the area, on average, only 10% of teenagers go to church on a Sunday morning! We as a church must do something about this! No matter how old or gray you get pray to God that you will live long enough and have enough strength to declare God's power and goodness to the next generation!

 

In working with teenagers here are some things to keep in mind:

 

1. A teenager's brain is still developing.....help them to connect the dots concerning their decision making!

 

Brain research has shown that the frontal lobe of the brain which is the area where judgments and decision making is formed is not fully developed until people reach their early 20's. Therefore, teenagers are more prone to make irrational decisions as their brain is still developing. As adults we need to help students connect the dots and help them process why they make specific decisions. This calls for patience in youth workers!

 

2. Teenagers want to be more independent and are forming their own self-identity!

 

In a nationwide research poll of teenagers it was found that 90% of the time that teenagers disobey their parents it is because they are trying to assert themselves and establish their freedom instead of being outright rebellious. As teenagers start to develop their own self-identity they will naturally and instinctively push back on the main identity that they know which is their parent's identity. This is healthy as long as parents understand and encourage their teenagers to look up to and identify with other Godly youth workers!

 

3. In working with teenagers you have the ability to help set their direction for the rest of their lives!

 

Studying adolescence is a recent phenomena. In fact, adolescence was only first mentioned in the early 1900's and was first fully studied in the 1950's. It was found that there are different stages in a human beings development and the majority of development surrounding a person's idea of meaning and purpose is formed by the end of their teenage years. Youth workers and parents have the awesome opportunity to help teenagers develop healthy images of purpose and self-identity and the things you tell a teenager can inspire and help set their direction for the rest of their life!

 

Your greatest unfulfilled need as a child becomes your greatest fear as an adult!

 

Guys most want to be recognized for what they do, and they most fear failure;

Girls most want to be valued for who they are, and they most fear rejection!

 

You can be influential in helping form a teenager's image of self worth and purpose. In doing so, you can help set them on the right direction on a path of following God for the rest of their lives!

 

4. The greatest way to influence teenagers is to live an AUTHENTIC Godly life!

 

Teenagers can spot fakes and discrepancies a mile away! What they are really looking for is people who will walk by their side in life and be authentic and real with them. Teenagers are not attracted to a person's style or dress compared with the genuineness in their walk with Jesus! Teenagers are watching and they are taking notes on your life......are you living an authentic and Godly life?

 

Will you do what it takes to reach teenagers like this student?!?