From the Mouth of Teens: What They Really Need

Today we have a guest post from my friend and Youth Pastor’s wife, Charity Harley.

“From the Mouth of Teens”

I had an experience today that not many people get to have. My husband, who is the youth pastor at our church, had just taken our youth group to The WILDS. (The WILDS is a Christian camp in North Carolina.) During Sunday school he was getting feedback from the teenagers, which he always does when we go on a big trip.

His most important question was “What does the WILDS do spiritually that you appreciate?”

Their answers were something you would rarely hear coming out of a teen’s mouth but were very eye opening to what kids really need from us as parents, teachers, and spiritual leaders. I hope their answers are as thought provoking to you as they were to me.

Again, the question asked to the teens was:

“What does the WILDS do spiritually that you appreciate?”

1. Emphasis on God’s Word

2. Planned God & I Time (Devotions)

3. No media distractions

4. Loving counselors/staff

5. Preaching

6. Preaching on relevant topics

7. Clear mission statement (1 Cor. 10:31).

8. Christ-centered music

9. Balance between spiritual things and fun things

10. Consistency in philosophy and expectations

11. Resources (books, sermons, devos books, etc)

12. Transparency from speakers and staff about issues in life

13. Scripture memory

14. Prayer partners

This is what I took away from this very honest and open time with our teens:

Teens want an environment saturated with God’s Word.

They want people to be making sure they do their devotions and memorize scripture.

The need someone to pray with them.

They need preaching that makes their faith sound by thoroughly explaining why we believe what we do from the Bible.

They need preaching that addresses real life issues. (And believe me, they know more about things they shouldn’t know about than you think!)

Those that are doing the preaching and teaching need to get rid of their pride and be transparent with their own struggles. The kids already know you’re not perfect and they appreciate it when you admit that.

Teens are interested in learning more and want help  studying God’s Word by using books and other materials that godly people have written.

They want a clear goal for their life that stays the same, with rules that are enforced. They need the people “making up the rules” to actually love and care for them in deed, not just in word.

They need guidelines when it comes to technology and media.

They want music that pleases Christ.

They need a balance of spiritual things and fun things.

Most families spend their free time with fun. Let’s change it up and spend some free time doing something to increase their faith. They need that balance.

WOW!!! I know most of the time we see kids that roll their eyes and look embarrassed when we do family devos or try to pray. They get defensive when you ask them what they learned in their time alone with God.

Our teens shared with us what they really need and I’m so thankful for their honesty.

We need to persevere to do what’s right for our children, our family, and the kids we have a direct influence over. This is what your kids want and need.

What’s keeping you from giving it to them?

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Charity trusted Christ as a teenager, attended Bob Jones University  and graduated with a degree in nursing in 2006.  She married her husband, Jonas in 2007.  They serve the Lord together at Catawba Springs Christian Church in Apex, NC  where  Jonas is the youth pastor. Jonas blogs here and has excellent insight for parents and teens. They had their first son in July, 2010. His name is Justin and he’s really trying hard to learn how to walk!