Talking Through Tough Issues Biblically with Your Children

I think one thing we all can agree on is the fact life is difficult. For myriad of reasons, life has its challenges. Though most adults would agree today’s teenagers have many advantages we did not grow up with, I would suggest in many ways, today’s teenagers have it more difficult than past generations. Studies have shown, this generation is facing more pressures and anxieties with less support to help them through the difficult times.

There are difficult issues such as drugs/alcohol, depression, sexuality, body image/eating disorders, and bullying that our adolescents face at a greater intensity than generations past. Though there is a wealth of information that can be gathered by our adolescents concerning these topics through external avenues such as the Internet, the traditional support systems such as family, teachers/coaches and the church have often hesitated to provide proper support. As TBC Student Ministry, we are determined to change this trajectory.

On Wednesday nights (Jan. 29-Feb. 26), we will tackle these difficult topics through the perspective of Christ’s love, mercy and grace with our high school students. Our goal is to open conversations between students, parents and loving adult leaders. We desire to create a safe environment where students can learn more about tough issues without judgment, condemnation or ridicule. Drugs/alcohol, depression, sexuality, body image/eating disorders and bullying all deal with a person’s perception of their own identity. Our hope is for our students to develop their identity centered on their relationship with Jesus.

As a Student Ministry, our role is to support parents and families in helping to bring light to some of these issues and to equip them with Christ-centered tools to help deal with the issues when they arise. All parents of high school students will receive a letter in the mail with more information about this study series. In addition, the curriculum and parent/student discussion guide will be available online at www.lifehonestly.com to help facilitate discussions at home. Also, a Parent Forum led by Dr. Tyler Townsend will be held at the same time as the students meet (Wednesdays at 6:00-7:30) in room B233. All of these ways are being put in place to help our families of high school students to be equipped to develop in their faith journey. May God be with us as we journey together.

- Andy