Ask a Teenager!
 

I've been on AFF for a bit and have noticed that I'm one of the younger ones here.

My 18th birthday was this past Tuesday and I'm heading off to the University of Florida in August (Go Gators!). I was raised in a UPCI pastor's home from birth and have spent the majority of my life in church services.

That being said, I also spent the past thirteen years of my life in a public school system - from kindergarten to high school. I've noticed that a lot of the forum members are parents / youth leaders / etc., so I figured that I'd open it up for questions since I've seen a lot of what works and what doesn't in both the home and the church.

If no one's interested, that's fine too. :D

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Kewl. This could be a great thread!

Question #1

Like everyone else, I want my kids to be well-balanced spiritually and socially. What helped you most during those early and mid teen years to keep your perspectives right?

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Has having such incredibly handsome and brilliant uncles been, in your estimation, a hindrance or a help to this point? :)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

:bubble

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Bro. Tstew,
Do you happen to be one of SoldoutoChrsit's incredibly handsome and brilliant uncles! LOL!

Falla39

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

soldout, I'm a big fan of ihop and jesus culture, so I'm accepting your recommendation of deluge. just downloaded their 2 cds. I hope they're good or else I won't listen to anything else you have to say! haha j/k

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Happy Birthday soldoutochrist!

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Ok! How would you characterize your social intergration or lack thereof with the general population of students and teachers in your high school? Did you have a circle of like-faith friends to make it easier, or were you a "pilgrim and a stranger (key of G) marching through this wearisome land..."?


PS, no sarcasm intended in above, it is a real question.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

The first thing that I emphasize is staying involved with a local youth group or having friends who are strong in their walk. I strayed some, as most people do, but when I really plugged in to a group of fellow Christians - both at school and off campus - I had people my age who would keep me accountable.

Another thing that my parents emphasized is that I'd never be in trouble for asking a question or telling them something - whether it was theological or something else. Having an open relationship made it easier for me to approach them when I was confused or felt guilty about something.

Lastly, I highly recommend family Bible studies. I'll admit, sometimes I huffed and puffed, but when we all sat around the Bible and really dove in, it helped us grow as a family and individually in our walks with Christ.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

If I'd had incredibly handsome and brilliant uncles, it may have been a help. I guess I'll never know. :tease

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

I love Deluge. Just saw them last month - incredible band. Let me know what you think! :)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Interesting question. :)

I went to a high school with 2200 students. It was easy to find a good number of kids (and teachers) who were genuinely good, involved with church, and pursuing God. I even had a few Pentecostal friends!

I do think that I managed to find a happy medium. I didn't hang out with people that I knew were bad influences but maintained good relationships with most of the kids in my grade. I even ended up getting one of the biggest 'stoners' in our grade to come to church with me. ;)

Really, high school was great for me all around. I think that it is easy to stumble in that environment, but it prepared me pretty well for what I'll encounter at a secular university.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

:heeheehee

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

SoldouttoChrsit,
Is Tstew your uncle??

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Indeed. One of my father's brothers. :)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

LOL! I thought he must be!! Hugs!

Falla39

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

I'm not sure what the answer is, or even quite sure what the question is. But I remained a Christian through my teen years because of God's grace toward me DESPITE our "church" at the time and our holy pastor who raised me through my parents in a way that would fit right into a current episode of "Fringe". God sent a number of "Walter, Peters, and Olivia's" who deduced what was going on and led me out of the flock.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Awesome!

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Thank you for giving us the chance to "ask a Teenager." I don't have anything for you right now, but I'm sure I will. :)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

LOL. Well played...but I would have expected nothing less.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Yes, she is my niece. She is a great young lady and is making us all proud.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

:thumbsup

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

So apparently, I completely missed the point of the thread. Please forgive my little rant. :)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

I found it interesting. I know a good number of kids, UPC and not UPC, who are raised in incredibly controlling environments or feel as if they are overwhelmed with legalism and completely rebel.

I think that it's sad that often, churches do the opposite of what they are supposed to and alienate young believers instead of attracting them.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

:heeheehee

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Loved this post!! LOL!!

My question is - Why haven't you been kicked out of your UPC church for wearing a necklace????

(on a very serious note so good to have a Pentecostal teen posting on here and good luck at University!)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

I'm sure that there are a few who would have me leave if they could. ;) I'm not sure that I'll attend a UPC church in the fall, but I am determined to find a good church and stay faithful. :thumbsup

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

You should do fine in college based on your posts/answers. It sounds like you're a bright, "sold out to Christ" young lady. :thumbsup

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Wow...now that is wisdom! I did not come to Christ until I was 16yrs old, and we had a great Youth Minister, and truthfully that was the single biggest influence in keeping me in Church as a young newbie.

I can't help but think that we are all a end result of our own environments. that which we are saturated in becomes part and reflection of who we are or are becoming...in the case of this young lady it is very positive!

As a Father and Husband I constantely rack my brain and spirit over how I am leading my home. Both of my children are in public school, and we usually have Bible reading and discussion one night a week together. I have never raised them with all the organizational stances, but we have preached Christ, the Word, Morals, Ethics, Modesty etc. They are now 11yrs and 10yrs, and are great kids...I believe because of Christ.

Anyway, it is refreshing to hear from a young adults perspective!

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Thank you! :)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

what is going to be your major, soldout?

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Soldout--
I am to preach during a youth service. What do you think its important for ministers to remember when preaching to a group of young people? I've preached to crowds large and small...but young people are BY FAR the most intimidating. They see STRAIGHT through you. :)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

I'm entering as a Journalism major, although that may change. Taking Political Science courses along the way to open my mind a bit and provide opportunities outside of the Journalism field.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

If I study this from a non church viewpoint, the youth group will not join you and become gators. The youth that find a college youth group and continue with new friends are more likely to be still in church after graduation than those that don't join another youth group.

The other factor that came up recently when several evangelical denominations asked why UPC had higher college student retention, we saw very high retention in youth that had been bible quizzers.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Kingdomapostle,

I'm not the typical UPC young person, so my answer might not be the typical opinion. ;) I've just never responded well to preachers jumping on pews, running around screaming, and doing acrobatics on stage to hold a youth group's attention.

As you said, most youth are pretty good at figuring out what a speaker's about and decide near the beginning of the sermon whether they're actually going to listen to the sermon or text their friends throughout.

All of the sermons that have really stuck with me over the years have done so because the speakers were real. They were open about their experiences, their challenges, their doubt, etc. Once I could see that the person in front of me dealt with the same things that I did, it made everything relatable.

That said, I think that topical sermons often appear to young people the most because it's most applicable. The one thing that I'd advise is not falling back on preaching about standards or anything that just seems 'easy.' Challenge the kids that you're talking to to really start caring about their future and the futures of those around them. Remind them of their destiny.

Just give them something on Sunday night that they'll be able to apply to their lives the next day.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Not quite sure what you mean...maybe because I'm running on a few hours of sleep, but I'm a little confused. Lol, bear with me. :)

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

Great advice and perhaps others can take heed as well.
I'm not the typical UPC anything, because I'm not UPC. :)
I've been preaching since 14, so I know that I can agree with what you've shared. THANK YOU!

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

:thumbsup No problem.

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

:heeheehee:happydance:thumbsup

Re: Ask a Teenager!
 

I listened to deluge yesterday. some of their songs are rock and some are worship. i like there worship songs since I've been listening to misty edwards alot. I like there rock songs too but not for church. I think there is a fine line between christian rock and worship. deluge is on both sides imo. good stuff though. thanks for recommending.