Subscribe to this blog by EmailHow do we live these out?
Hey Everybody, Jason Strand here again.
In my message this weekend, I shared six insights that teenagers want their parents to know:
1. Be my parent not a friend.
2. Encourage me.
3. Listen to me.
4. Choose your battles.
5. Help me grow spiritually.
6. Pray for me.
Those six things sound great in a sermon, but I’m aware that living them out with a teenager is a huge challenge. Each teenager is different and some may be more important than others depending on the kid and the time in their life. If you are looking for some further resources to assist you in parenting teenagers I would recommend David Walsh’s book “Why do they Act like That?” and “Parenting teens with Love and Logic” by Foster W. Cline & Jim Fay.
At the end of my message, I mentioned that one of the biggest Elephants in the Teenagers Room is that parents and teenagers really do love each other. In the video that we showed at the end I asked teenagers to complete two sentences for me:
1. Mom and Dad thank you for……
And
2. Mom and Dad I love you because……
Teenagers, how would you finish those two sentences? Parents, how would you answer those two questions regarding your children?
1 John 4:11-12 says, “Dear Friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made perfect in us.” Reflect with love of Christ in your family this week.
Filed under: Week 3 - The Teenager's Room
Hi Jason…..I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your message this morning. You have such a God given gift to give us something to take home with us. We have grandkids who are out of college so we don’t deal with kids anymore but your messages are gold when it comes to being able to send your message’s to them. I forward them to my Granddaughter in Richmond, VA. Her husband has been asked to be the Family Pastor at their church, Our Son-in-law is Pastor of the Pentecostol Living Center/Virginia Beach Christian accademy. Our daughter is persuing her PHD in Christian Education.
We are so blessed. I thank God for leading us to Eagle Brook……I am so thankful YOU found Eagle Brook….It is because we followed you that we are here.
God Bless you and your family. We are always thrilled when we see you are week’s speaker.
In Christ……. Lloyd & Nancy Hermes
Lloyd and Nancy,
Good to hear from you guys. Thank you for your encouraging words. You must be proud parents/grandparents to look down the family tree and see people who are walking with God and being used to futher his Kingdom, that’s really a legacy I would like to leave as well. Come say hi after a service sometime.
Great message! My 14 year old daughter was sitting next to me and agreed with your message also! Thank you for making it relavent, even for a single and divorced mom! I am always hoping I can apply the advice and principles to my own life. THANK YOU!!
If I were to finish your statements regarding my kids, I would tell them thank you for being patient with an imperfect dad. I am a dad that loves God and his family, tries hard, but will always make mistakes.
It is unbelievable how forgiving kids are, but as Jason stated you need to be humble and willing to admit when you are wrong.
Is there such thing as a perfect parent? Anyone else fall short?
Jason, thank you for making more clear some of what is going on in my teen’s head. One day it is one emotion, 30 seconds later it is another. I too, need to be a more patient dad. Hoping that my teen can look past my mistakes.
Is there a way EBC can make the videos that begin these messages, and others, available?
Thanks for all you do.
Doug: Thanks for your humility, I think it’s pretty safe to say you’re not alone.
Roger: We are hoping to post the opening video from this weekend online once we get a couple of copyright issues ironed out. Also, David Walsh’s book , “Why do they act that way” will help you even more get into your teenager’s mind. Very interesting read.
Jason,
great message! : ) Currently I have one teen & one tween… both boys. I love every minute of them & your streaking story brought to mind something that I say to them on a regular basis (with much love and affection) “You’re such a BOY”! & thank goodness they are! lol
I know that many parents dread the teenage years… I seem to be abnormal in that I didn’t with my daughter, now 25, & I don’t dislike where I’m at with either of my boys. I have looked forward to each stage of their lives as they grow & mature & find out who they are! Each child is unique & I honestly can say that if you do not find a way to find the humor (appropriately) life with teen agers will be difficult.
They do seem to regress & need more attention, more reminding of life’s rules… just like toddlers! But take heart parents, they grow out of it, just like they did the first time & again the time will fly & it will feel like only yesterday that they were your babies/kids & then they are grown & on their own. Treasure every minute!!!
God Bless.
Laurie,
Great Post! I have two boys as well and yes there are times when they are such a “boy”. The two best things that I heard out of your post was:
1. Have a sense of humor about the teenage years, you really do have fo find appropriate humor in being a parent during those years.
2. They will grow out of it. Bob gave a message many years ago where he showed a clip from Apollo 13. He used that clip to illustrate that during the teenage years it can be kind of quiet at times (they don’t talk as much) and we wonder if they are ever going to come out on the other side of it, but take heart parents because they do. Great point and thanks for the comment.