The Bible clearly tells us that the way things should be (but usually are not) in our world. As Christian parents raising teenagers trying to find their way through a mixed up, broken world, we have the awesome responsibility to help them wade through the much and lead them to an understanding of the way things should be. In the Old Testament period, God raised up prophets who were called to do share that same message. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used the phrase “you have heard… but I say” many times to help the people understand that the messages they received from their culture were in fact wrong. He then proceeded to share the truth from God about the way things were supposed to be. We can follow Christ’s example in our children’s lives. When we discover a cultural lie that your teenager is facing or perhaps already embracing, shed the light of God’s life-giving truth. Help your children see the difference between the ways of the world (you have heard…) and the ways of loving according to God’s kingdom (but Jesus says…). When we share God’s word and not simply our opinion or rules it is more effective and convicting. Yes, your children should listen to you, but they should listen to God’s Word foremost.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Speak the truth into their lives!