Raising a Teenager in a Culture of Self-Help and Life Hacks

By the time our teenagers are 16 to 17 years old, they should have a dependence on God in regard to their choices and their future. I believe our job as parents is to point them to Christ from day one. However, the teenage years may be difficult because some of their choices make us scream from the top of our lungs, “Stupid!” 

But it’s when they come to our rooms at night asking questions or seeking advice that we most need to remember our jobs. Because, yes, we want them to come to us, but 'Did they go to God first?' should be the first thing that comes out of our mouths.

This is a generation that is dependent on self-help books. They tell us what to do, how to do it, and how doing those things will make us feel better and get what we want.

And now it’s life hacks.  Hacks that make us get to the end result sooner rather than through a longer process.

What if instead we taught this generation, who are currently teenagers and under our watch, that if they trust God with the end result, no matter how long it takes to get there, the finish line will be so much greater and well worth it?  And, guess what Mom and Dad, their faith will grow because of the journey.  Isn't that kinda what we want anyway?

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised (Rom 4:20-21, NIV)