skip to main |
skip to sidebar
We need your help...
Joe and I were scheduled to present a workshop at youth camp in a few weeks on 'living through divorce/living in a step family'. Another person was presenting a workshop on 'communicating with parents'. That person has had to back out due to a family issue so the camp director asked my husband and I to direct the workshop topic now to 'Living with Parents' to cover all walks of kids that will be there.So, as we prepare (and satan attacks us)...what issue's do you think needs to most be addressed with today's youth and how they can better communicate and live with their parents whether in a home with two parents, one parent, or stepparents? Your thoughts and prayers are so so appreciated!!!
9 comments:
Have you ever read any of Vicky Courtney's books? Her blog is virtuealert.blogspot.com
She has written several studies for teens and is very informed about what's going on in the lives of teens.
I will keep you & your husband in my prayers. I'm so thankful that you are willing to do this.
I've been working with the youth of our church for almost 6 yrs. and I was a nervous wreck when we first started, mainly feeling so inadequate. Here are a couple of verses I have in my journal that I prayed often at the first, for sure:
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.
I Thes. 5:24 Faithful is He that calleth you...who will also do it.
This is long, but I found one more thing in my journal. It's dated Sept. 23, 2004 & is written by Charles Stanley:
God never seems to call us to tasks that are easy for us. Perhaps if they were easy, we'd rely on ourselves and our gifts and abilities to accomplish the tasks. Rather, God wants us to rely solely on Him. He wants us to use our faith and grow in our ability to trust Him fully.
If you believe God has called you to do something for Him that is too great, you're right!
The job is likely to be too great for you to do in your own strength and ability.
Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ.
Praying for you Pamela!
Love,
Valerie
I'm thinking on this, Pamela! Right now, with my pre-teen, we are struggling to keep him close to God and in relationship with other godly kids. this is one reason we are considering joining a new church. Today's kids see the world differently, are constantly bombarded by the media and entertainment. Trying to find a style of worship that appeals to my son has been difficult. Also, as he longs for relationships with peers, finding a way to keep a close relationship with us (his parents) has been a challenge. I find myself withdrawing from him at times, because that is what he seems to want from me, but this frightens me and so I have been forcing myself to remain an active presence in his life. Does this make sense?
I'll think some more...
Praying for you guys. what an amazing gift you must be to your families!
I will be praying for you Pamela, and thinking about any ideas that come to mind. That is one of my biggest struggles right now, communicating with these aliens (teenagers) I live with. God bless you for taking on such a tough assignment!!
Love and Prayers,
Kelley
Oh boy where do I start?
#1: Teaching them to have a healthy relationship with Christ. Spending time with Him so when they are older they will desire that.
#2: Fear of God. Teaching them to have a reverance of God. To want to please Him above their parents. When kids have a respect for God, the honoring the parents thing just falls into place.
I'll be praying for you & Mr. Joe B! :)
Blessings & Hugs,
Lelia
So, you will be speaking to the teens? A few years back I spoke to a group of high school girls about parents. I started out by asking them questions about God, such as:
do you believe God is perfect
does God make mistakes
does He have a perfect plan
etc, etc. and then I asked them if they believed all of those things then obviously God didn't make a mistake when HE gave them the parents they have, right? Ouch.
My dad died when I was young and then my mom remarried. I missed out on a great relationship with my step-father(who I now call dad) for may years because I was bitter and angry with God.
Kids don't need to hear that they have to talk to their parents, that their parents care, blah, blah. They really know all that. But they need to remember in the midst of the trials, if they truly believe God is perfect then He put them in their family for a reason.
Sorry to go on and on. But the youth are my passion. I will be praying for you!!
Sheryl
Humor with teens is good. I think most teens and pre-teens feel misunderstood. They feel that no one (except other people their age with similar circumstances) understands what they are going through. And often they feel alone in their vies. It might be good to help them to know they are not alone, and then to teach them how to deal with parents, it is just as important to bring home the message that parents are people, who make mistakes and that each parent loves their child the way they learned how to love their child. Children today often love their parents, yet don't understand their view. With everything that is happening in the world today parents have more to deal with then every before. Kids somehow miss that little piece. Teaching teens compassion for the people in their lives who love them the most is vital. I don't know what your teaching style is or what you are going to use to teach, but real life answers is what kids need. Amen? Amen!
I think that both Sheryl and Lelia gave some SOUND words.
Lord, bring Your Will to this situation. What YOU know these teens need to hear, to draw ever closer to You.
Love ya!
hey girlie - Hope you are doing well!! I have a giveaway on my blog you might want to check out!!
Love, Leigh
Pam:
Hey girl! Even though I only met you last week, I feel like I've known you forever. I volunteer in our girls ministry at church. One thing we plan on using as a theme for the fall is Identity. We really feel like so much of what goes on with them has to do with Identity - or rather searching for it. We really need to find a way to talk to them about their identity and their identity in Christ. That's what they are searching for I believe. We need to find a way to let know we've been there. For some of us that process is ongoing and they need to know that.
I'll be praying for you and your husband. I know God will give you exactly what your audience needs.
In Christ,
Mari
Post a Comment