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Teens’ Biggest Problems

We all know the typical problems that are associated with teenagers. We all know about the real temptations that today’s teens face. These temptations are real and difficult.

While teens certainly face the temptations of drugs, sex, and alcohol, from my experience there’s a larger problem facing today’s teen…an identity problem.

This problem of identity is the catalyst to most of the issues teens face. This identity problem is real and epidemic among today’s youth.

The lack of a self identity often drives teens to give into the temptations that attack them. When they don’t know who they are, teenagers often seek identity in the things that mask themselves as identities. We all know that no one’s identity is found through acceptance, possessions, or a feeling, but they too often seem like attractive substitutes.

When our identity is in a solid source, we don’t seek to find it elsewhere. That’s why it’s vitally important that teenagers are given the solid option of Christ in which to find this identity. When our identity is in Christ, the other temptations don’t even appear attractive any longer.

So, we must teach and preach Christ to all ages. No one wants a watered down identity when they can have the real thing!

Agree?
Disagree?
27
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Church Ministry, Life

DISCUSSION 1 Comment
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My Favorite 30 Minutes

Every Thursday for the last month I’ve spent 10:45-11:15 with these 3 7th graders (I’m in the red shirt :-) . I’m not there to do much except for read a book with them and help them understand what they’re reading a little better. But, these 30 minutes of my week are quickly becoming some of my favorites. During these 30 minutes, I get a chance to talk to these kids about life, good times, rough times, hobbies, families, and whatever else may come up. In fact, these teens may not even know that I’m an area youth minister.
I hope though, that these teens enjoy hanging out with me as much as I enjoy hanging out with them. I also hope that they see the love of Christ inside me. Who knows, maybe 10 or 15 years from now they will look back at something that was said during our time together and make a good choice rather than a bad one.

26
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Random Stuff

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Caption?

One of the things I really like about the iPhone is the Photo Shop app. I used it with this photo.

What caption could go with this photo? I’ll start…”To: You, From: God”

From Amy Bailey “The best part of waking up… ” (tune of Folgers commercial)

23
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
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Blog, Life, Random Stuff

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Revelation Song

For those of you that haven’t had the priviledge of hearing this song…enjoy!

23
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Life

DISCUSSION No Comments
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Life Change

It’s amazing to me how I can have a head knowledge of something without if affecting my life, but when the Spirit teaches me something, it begins to have IMMEDIATE impact.

I think that most people that have been in church for a decent amount of time have a head knowledge of everything they need to be effective Christians. Most of the people within the church, however, don’t have a spiritual knowledge of the same essential principles.

How do we move from a basic head knowledge to a spiritual knowledge? By spending time with God and allowing His Spirit to teach us.

Only then does the KNOWLEDGE become CONVICTION which brings LIFE CHANGE.

23
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Church Ministry, Life

DISCUSSION No Comments