Welcome Parents!
Hi, my name is Mike Smith and I'm the youth pastor at Bethel Assembly. I would like to a few minutes of your time and talk to you about your teenager. I know a lot of people get scared when they hear the word "teenager," but these years don't have to be ones that frighten you. It is a time of great physical growth, hence the food bill being so high, not to mention a time of great independence. Teenagers are trying to find out who they are and why they exist. It is a time of transition from childhood to
adulthood.
I'm 38 years old and I grew up in a society that had absolute truths. If I got in trouble at school then I got in trouble when I got home. I grew up with a sense of right and wrong. Our children today are not being raised in the same kind of society. The culture today says whatever you believe is right is right, if you believe it's wrong then it is wrong. Thus, our teenagers have no solid basis on which to build their values. This is the reason why many teenagers feel a sense of being lost and why it is so important for parents to truly parent their teenager.
A lot of people feel that a teenager wants to be left alone, but that is far from the truth. They need as much love, direction and encouragement as they had as a child. A lot of parents still give direction. They stop or back off giving hugs and kisses because they believe their teen doesn't need it. They could not be farther from the truth. Having worked with teenagers for over 20 years, I have found them needing their parents affirmation more as a teenager than when they where children. Even when they roll their eyes and act like they don't care, they really do. Remember how you were as a teenager? You never wanted your parents to think they were right. Some
things just never change!
It does take time and effort, but the results will last a lifetime. Don't let your teenager become another statistic - let them become all that God has destined them to be!
In His Service for Youth at Bethel Assembly of God,
Pastor Mike
If I can help you in any way, please call me at (717) 359-4675 or send me an email:
pastormike@impactmyworld.com
angela@impactmyworld.com
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