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.
__________________ "We ask why there so many signs and miracles overseas but not in America. I’ll tell you why. Overseas, they preach to the lost. In America, we preach to the found." -Joel Stockstill
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?
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
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?
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.
__________________ "We ask why there so many signs and miracles overseas but not in America. I’ll tell you why. Overseas, they preach to the lost. In America, we preach to the found." -Joel Stockstill
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
__________________ "We ask why there so many signs and miracles overseas but not in America. I’ll tell you why. Overseas, they preach to the lost. In America, we preach to the found." -Joel Stockstill
Has having such incredibly handsome and brilliant uncles been, in your estimation, a hindrance or a help to this point?
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Has having such incredibly handsome and brilliant uncles been, in your estimation, a hindrance or a help to this point?
If I'd had incredibly handsome and brilliant uncles, it may have been a help. I guess I'll never know.
__________________ "We ask why there so many signs and miracles overseas but not in America. I’ll tell you why. Overseas, they preach to the lost. In America, we preach to the found." -Joel Stockstill
If I'd had incredibly handsome and brilliant uncles, it may have been a help. I guess I'll never know.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Ask a Teenager!
Hybrid Mode
