I wish I could say I was the perfect parent, but I’m not. I say the wrong things and embarrass my kids. Sometimes I pull the mom card and want my way, just “because I’m the MOM!” I try to get my kids to see how not smacking your lips while eating is paramount to the continuance of Western civilization as we know it. I want to help them understand that making your bed is the first step to success in life and picking up your towel up off the floor goes a long way towards not driving your mom insane.
As a parent, I can spin my wheels majoring on the minors.
However, as my 17 year old graduates high school, and my son finishes his sophomore year of college, I realize I need to think more carefully. Our time with our kids is so short. What do we really want to pass on to them? Surely my kids need to know things more important than the magical art of tidying up and the correct placement of silverware on a dinner table.
What do I really want my teens to know?
More than anything I want my kids to know who they are, who God is, and what He does. They need to know what God has already done and what He promises to do for them.
Here are basic truths and 7 scriptures we want our teens to know:
Who You Are:
You are the crown of God’s creation:
1. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” Psalm 139:14-15
God created you with a purpose in mind:
Who God is and What He has done:
You are a sinner, just like I am. But there’s good news: God loves and saves sinners.
3. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
4. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
Who God is and what He will do:
God does not promise you an easy life, but here’s what He does promise:
He’ll redeem even your worst circumstances. He can around your hurts and disappointments to use them for your good.
God will be with you and help you through your most difficult challenges:
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
God has good plans for your future, even when life’s rough spots leave you doubting it.
Our teens can find the most important things they need to know in God’s Word.
Let’s point them to it, so they can discover who they are, who God is, and what He does. Learning to hold on to God’s promises for themselves will help our teens grow into more resilient adults.
Now it’s your turn: What do you think is a key scripture for young adults (and for all of us)?
Looking for a resource to help you build a lifelong faith in your kids?
I found so much help in the book Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by Kara Powell and Chap Clark. This book gave my husband and I many ideas for preparing our teens to carry their faith with them as they transitioned to college. The book will help you connect with your kids and have conversations on faith and values. I only wish I’d read it when my kids were in junior high because it’s never too early to start preparing them for life!
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Thank you for these Betsy:) I’ve been keeping a small journal where I write down verses that I want my son to know and keep close to his heart. I plan to have it filled up to give to him when he graduates next year. These are wonderful!
What a great idea, Kristine! I love that.
That’s a beautiful idea!
WOW my heart needed to hear this today, sweet Betsy! thanks for sharing, Kim
Aw, Kim. Thanks for reading. Blessings to you and your teen. 🙂
Really, if I make Scripture my default, I can’t lose. And it’s so much better than my own cobbled together words. Honestly sometimes I listen to myself talking to my kids and the thing that sounded so wise and parental in my head hits the air and all I can think is, “Wow, you sound really lame, Mum.”
Thanks for the Scripture and for the focus on what’s crucial.
Oh Michele, I’ve been there and thought this too: “sometimes I listen to myself talking to my kids and the thing that sounded so wise and parental in my head hits the air and all I can think is, “Wow, you sound really lame, Mum.” Yep. You nailed it. Happens to me all the time.
May I ask some questions please
Yes, you certainly may. Happy to help with any questions related to encouraging your teens’ faith.
You chose all my favorite verses. When my sons were growing up, we went to church regularly but it was not until they were teenagers that I realized I had missed the boat on the importance of knowing God’s word. The beauty of it all is how my sons taught me and led me forward in my faith.
I am looking forward to grandchildren someday so I am able to share the love of God from when they are very young. Than you for outlining important Scriptures that we all need to know as children of God.
What a BEAUTIFUL testimony, Mary. I love that your sons taught YOU. I learn so much from my kids too.
Such truth and wisdom here Betsy! I’m in this same place as my kids point out how I stress over what seems minor to them. Thanks for the reminder to keep the big picture in mind-God’s saving truths!
My friend Michele below mentioned, Jill, that sometimes she hears what’s coming out of her mouth and thinks, “Wow, you sound really lame, mom.” It cracked me up because I could surely relate. 🙂 Let’s keep the majors in mind.
Betsy, these are fabulous verses. I’m just entering my season as a mom of teens, and I especially like your suggestion about “the crown of creation.” Glad I found this today at #testimonytuesday.
May God give you all the grace, joy, and help you need with your teens, Sarah. It’s been my favorite stage so far. 🙂
Thanks for these meaningful and specially chosen verses, Betsy!
You’re welcome, Jarm. Thanks for stopping by today.
This list includes some of my favourite verses and they really are such important things for teens, and for all of us, to remember and hold to.
That’s what I thought, Lesley. These are important for all of us. 🙂
I have to say I absolutely loved this post Betsy! Thank you for sharing. I saved all of those verses so I can read them daily. Love you❤
Oh sweet Hannah. May the Lord fill and empower you with His Spirit each day, friend. 🙂 All of this is true about YOU! You’re a work of art in progress.
Oh those can be rough years of parenting, Betsy. I remember them well!
Praise God that His Word gives us … and our kids … everything we need for life and godliness. And all those seeds we’ve planted along the way? May the Holy Spirit bring them to beautiful life in our kids’ hearts.
Hi Betsy! I really appreciate this post. I have a 12 year old and I’ll be sharing this with her (and her 9 year old sister!). Thank you for sharing this wisdom from your heart – and all of the Momma antics at the beginning of the post about what it’s like training our kids. 🙂
Your neighbor over at Coffee for Your Heart!
Tiffiney
WelcomeHomeMinistry.com
Hi there Tiffiney, blessings on you and your 12 year old. What an exciting time!
Lovely, Betsy!
Thank you for sharing this.
Oh, Betsy. YES!!! I won’t have a teen for another year and a half or so, but having been a teen. I really wish I had known these more deeply myself. 3 & 4 would have been particularly helpful. I somehow learned from my Christian education that God loves those who obey His commandments. Which is technically true. And as a rule follower I could understand. But when I realized I was breaking His rules, I was devastated. I had to learn grace much too late in life. I’m doing all I can now to help my kids understand God’s love better than I did! Blessings, friend! XO
So glad, Liz, that you’re trying to help your kids understand God’s love better than you did. Loving them unconditionally goes a long way towards that, I think. I need to grow!
These are great verses for all of us and learning them as teens is so important! The years fly by and if our kids know these things, they will be set for life.
I think you’re right, Sarah! In fact, if I could learn these things, I’d be set for life too. 😉
I think it’s always good when we can boil down wisdom into a concise list like this, Betsy. These verses have been a blessing to me through the years, and I’m sure they will bless your kids for years to come!
Love all these, Betsy! Beautiful truths we all need.
If I could add one more, it would be that in seeking God you will find who He created you to be. “You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13
Sweet blessings to you!
Oh, I love that verse too, Crystal. The continuation of 29:11. So good.
Oh Betsy! Lovely. When we know Whose we are and what He can – and will – do, it changes our thinking and thus our lives.
Love these verses. May have to dish them up to my 30+ year old son…regardless of age, our job is to guide them, right?!
Love you
Thanks, Susan! I think I need to remember this myself, so I’m not surprised if you 30 year old does too. <3 Love you too.
Betsy, there are all such great versus as they pertain to our teens! Honestly, parenting teens isn’t for the weak, is it? Thank you so much for linking up at Salt and Light!
No, it’s not for the weak, Shannon! Not at all!
Great ideas for any teenager! So important for them to know who they are and whose they are. Thanks for sharing!
These are great! I work with the youth at our church, and I’m constantly looking for good resources with them. I may try to incorporate these as memory verses this summer.
Thanks so much for reading, Heather. May the Lord bless your work with youth! So important! You are truly on the front lines. Praying now for your ministry.
I just signed up for your emails.. Thank you.. We have 7 grandchildren and I want to share these truths with them. I share in a jail ministry & I am sure most of the women have never heard these truths for purpose, watchcare and living in God.. looking forward to sharing these with them.. God loves them!
Blessings on your relationship with your grand kids and also on your ministry in jail, Jennie.