Instead of “10 Things to do with Your Child Before Age 10“, (from my friends the Bluedorns) –
Here’s my 5 things to do with a teen-aged youth:
1) If your child doesn’t yet have a deep love of God and His Word, and self-government (discipline, self-control) born out of a desire to please Him, do whatever it takes to birth and nourish that in him; and to develop the ability to hear and follow His voice. (Including LOTS of prayer.)
2) Teach your child to “think Biblically”, that is, to correctly reason from God’s Word in all areas of Life – Creation Science is a well-known biggie in this area, but so also should he be able in Providential History & Geography, Internal Government, Servant Leadership, Productive Stewardship, Beautifying Dominion, and Grace & Truth Communication.
3) Teach him how to develop and maintain strong relationships. To show the love of God, to communicate the gospel. To “have communion with few, be intimate with one, deal justly with all, speak evil of none.”
4) Develop a love for true beauty. Help him to see that what is “good” isn’t just in the eye of the beholder. “I like it” doesn’t make it good. Judge all things by Phil. 4:8-9. Learn to appreciate the beauty of good music, good art, nature, the true beauty of others, good communication, and the beauty of simplicity.
5) Guide him in developing his gifts and calling. To hear God’s voice for His plan and purpose for his life. Help him prepare for that calling. Some are general for all, also the callings as a male or female – begin there. Then branch into his own special calling. Realize the way God works is not always the way we THINK it is going to turn out, so be sure to have the “general callings” things down solid, so that he is “thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
