St. Paul Lutheran Church 701 Washington Street Grafton, WI 53024

THEPARENTLINK 262-377-4659 Splgrafton.org October 2013 FOR PARENTS OF TEENS

BUILD CONFIDENT CHRISTIANS THE VIEW How strong do your teenagers stand spiritually? Do they know the one true God and the only way to get to heaven? Do they have a firm grasp on truth—firm enough A poll of 1,400 teens—93% of that they feel confident sharing it with others? whom said they’re Christians— yielded these startling results: A recent Group magazine poll revealed that many Christian kids are confused about their beliefs. (See some results in “The View.”) In a world that custom-designs  More than one-third said they views of God based on convenience and personal preference, how can parents keep aren’t sure if the Bible is accu- teenagers on track spiritually? Regular involvement in a church and youth group rate in all its teachings or don’t certainly helps. But parents must interact with teenagers to discover if they know and understand faith essentials. Dare 2 Share Ministries uses this acrostic as a base- believe it’s accurate. line for what kids need to know:  Nearly four out of 10 said Satan God created us to be with him. is just a symbol of evil, not a Our sins separate us from God. real spiritual being. Sins cannot be removed by good deeds. Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again.  About one in five kids thought Everyone who trusts in Jesus alone has eternal life. Jesus committed sins while he Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever. lived on earth.

When teenagers are confident in their knowledge of this GOSPEL truth, they’ll not —Group magazine only be prepared to face trials and temptations but also will become confident faith- sharers who tell others about God’s good news.

PONDER THIS TIPS >>>

3. God’s Word. Bibliology is the Dare 2 Share Ministries president  In what areas do you think Greg Stier says Christian kids should truth that the Bible, inspired by your teenagers need a confi- have these four essential truths down God, is error-free. In a world of pat—not just in their heads but in confusion, this offers a solid foun- dence booster? their hearts and lives: dation of unshakeable truth. We  How would you rate your equip kids to read, meditate on, and 1. God. Theology Proper is the own confidence in your live out Scripture. study of the person of God, his at- Christian beliefs, and why? tributes, and the Trinity. We chal- 4. Gospel. Soteriology, the study of  How comfortable are you lenge kids to be godly, expressing salvation, is summed up in the with sharing your faith? God’s “communicable attrib- GOSPEL acrostic above. The gos- utes” (holy, loving, merciful, etc.) pel gives kids confidence in their through the Holy Spirit’s power. standing with God through Christ’s finished work on the cross. Exter- 2. God’s Son. Christology covers nally, it provides the cause of Christ Jesus’ incarnation (100% God and himself: to seek and save the lost. 100% human), his death for our sins, and his physical resurrection. Jesus was tempted yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His empathy emboldens us to pray with confi- dence, and his resurrection assures us that we’ll be resurrected some- day, too.

Authentic Christians? Expert Insights for Parents of Teenagers By Mike Nappa

For my book The Jesus Survey 10 Christian teenagers say they have portant conclusion: Right belief trans- (Baker Books), I polled more than significant doubt in one or more essen- lates into real experience. And the first 800 Christian kids. The results were tials of their faith. Only 39% express step toward right belief is confidence surprising. strong confidence that Jesus is the only in the Bible’s trustworthiness. way to heaven. And barely 5% of Legendary silent-film actor Charlie youth group members open a Bible Other good news from my research: Chaplin once entered a Charlie Chap- daily. 84% of Christian teenagers say it’s lin look-alike contest at a crowded the- their responsibility to “tell others about ater. Apparently, the competition was The news isn’t all bleak, however. Jesus with the intent of leading them to fierce because the real Chaplin didn’t Confident Christian Teenagers— be Christian, too.” Best of all, they’re even place among the finalists. His those who express consistent faith in following up on those beliefs. Fifty-six fans—even those trying to imitate essential beliefs about Christ—have a percent of kids report that they’ve him—didn’t even see him in their markedly different relationship with shared their faith in Jesus with a non- midst. God. Among Confident Christian Christian during the past month. Of Teenagers, 86% are certain that the course, it’s vital that the information My research shows that if Jesus him- Holy Spirit is present and active in kids are sharing is correct. With eterni- self walked through church doors to- their lives today. And 94% say they ty in the balance, it’s essential that our day, most of his young “fans” would- have proof that Jesus has answered teenagers believe and share authentic n’t recognize him either. Nine out of their prayers. This suggests an im- Christian truths.

RESOURCE

BIBLE FOCUS Confident Christian contains six teen-appropriate lessons on apolo- For the Lord will be your confidence. getics, or defending one’s faith. Proverbs 3:26, NRSV Topics include why being “good” doesn’t get you to heaven, why all Now faith is confidence in what we hope for roads don’t lead to salvation, and and assurance about what we do not see. why cults can’t compare to Christi- Hebrews 11:1, NIV anity.

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

MAINSTREAM MUSIC CHRISTIAN MUSIC MOVIES

Movie: Romeo & Juliet

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis: This modern take on Shakespeare’s epic tragedy is still set in the same time frame as the play. Downton Abbey creator DRAKE JARS OF CLAY Julian Fellowes wrote this Background: This band has version. Background: Drake’s fame began made thoughtful art-rock music on the TV series Degrassi: The Next Our Take: Forbidden love since 1995, when their hit Generation, but he’s now a success- resonates with teen girls. “Flood” played on mainstream ful rapper and producer. He’s sold With Twilight finished, this radio. Many songs from their more than 5 million albums, won a might fill some of that void. critically acclaimed albums have Grammy, and holds many records been used in movies and TV from the Billboard charts. Drake of- shows. Singer Dan Haseltine also ten takes a thoughtful approach to Movie: I’m in Love With a founded Blood: Water Mission, a lost love, regret, and fame— Church Girl charity that provides clean water, sometimes unsure if he really wants sanitation, and health care to Af- Genre: Drama it, and critical of the society that has rican villages. created it. But amid the thoughtful- Rating: PG

ness is a lot of profanity. Albums: Inland (2013), The Synopsis: When he meets a Albums: Nothing W as the Same Long Fall Back to Earth (2009), girl who teaches him about (2013), Take Care (2011), Thank Me Redemption Songs (2005) grace and second chances, a Later (2010) former drug dealer tries to What Jars of Clay Says: Gui- turn his life around. What Drake Says: “I’m one of the tarist Matthew Odmark says, “As few artists who gets to be himself Our Take: This film stars you move further in life, you every day. It doesn’t take me six rapper Ja Rule, so it might begin to deal with real limitations hours to get ready, and I don’t have attract some kids. If it can and real disappointments—and to wake up in the morning and re- avoid cheesiness and bad we found ourselves writing songs member to act like this or talk like acting, this could be a good kind of exploring those themes.” this. I just have to be me. That’s one film.

of the favorite parts of my life—I’ve Explore: See videos for done this purely by being myself.” “Inland” www.youtube.com/ Explore: You can watch the video watch?v=xE0jEfK3ZfE and for “Started From the Bottom” here: “After the Fight” www.youtube.com/watch? www.youtube.com/watch? v=RubBzkZzpUA. It’s the explicit v=sglipw7gWos on YouTube. version but gives you an idea of what to expect from Drake’s music.

VIDEO GAMES Pokemon X&Y—This popular RPG game jumps onto the Nintendo 3DS for the first time. The plot and gameplay remain basically the same: Capture the elusive Pokemon and then use them in battle against opponents. (Rating: Not yet rated; Nintendo 3DS)

Batman: Arkham Origins—As the name implies, this is an origins story for Batman. The past games in this series have been remarkably good. Unfortunately, women are highly sexualized. (Rating: Not yet rat- ed but probably T; Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U) OCTOBER 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5

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