From the Mouths of Teen Girls

The following comments were made by Christian teen girls at an out-of-state retreat.  They were asked some questions in a very casual setting.  I was just an observing visitor, but I was struck by their determination and sincerity so I started writing down their answers.

Sometimes we let teen girls down, assuming they need the same lessons on modesty, purity, and peer pressure.  While those lessons need to be taught, I think Christian teen girls crave deeper Bible study.  They want to be pushed to their spiritual potential.  Their hearts are thinking about ways to make a difference in their sphere of influence.  I was challenged and convicted by what they had to say and I think you will be, too.  Here are the questions and their answers:

*What is the Lord’s greatest rival in your life?

•  “School is more of a priority than spiritual growth.”
• “Selfishness–doing things on my terms, not His terms.”
• “Cramming so much into my schedule, but God isn’t one of them.”
• “Questioning God during situations instead of believing Him.”
• “More time on entertainment instead of Bible study.”
• “My friends–wanting to be like them instead of realizing God always trumps my friends.”
• “My priorities–God can’t just be another priority, but the center of all my activities.”

*What are some ways you fight temptation in your life?

•  “Just say no.”
• “Walk past trouble.”
• “Stay far away from negative influences.”
• “Letting go of friends who make bad choices.”
• “Pray constantly and surround myself with godly influences; change the atmosphere.”
• “Have a person that will help you make right decisions.”

*What can your parents do to help you get closer to Christ?

•  “Stop letting me make everything else a priority.”
• “Tell me NO when I need to hear it.”
• “Push me, remind me that my faith is what’s most important.”
• “Simply ask me, ‘How’s your relationship with Christ?’  Checking in…”
• “Use Scripture to help me apply things personally in my life.”
• “We don’t go to any church activities outside of worship.  I wish they would push harder.”
• “Sit down and study with me.  Set the example.”
• “More Bible studies as a family.”
• “If I’m too tired to go to devotionals, push me.”
• (With tears) “I feel like just by making it more of a priority in my dad’s life would make it easier for all of us.  Skipping church makes it look like an option instead of a priority.”

*If you had one day left to live, what would you change?

•  “I’d fix things that ruin my influence.”
• “Say sorry for the things I’ve done.  Reach out to people.”
• “Be more outgoing with my faith.  Set everything right with God.”
• “Tell others why I love them.  Find some way to serve on my last day.”
• “Tell everyone about the Lord.  Apologize to my family.”
• “I’d realize nothing else matters but sharing the gospel.  I wouldn’t wait for the ‘right time.'”
• “I’d tell everyone I’m saved, where I’m going, and that I want them there, too.”
• “I would ask everyone, ‘Do you know if you’re going to Heaven?'”

Let no one despise your youth,

but be an example to the believers

in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

(1 Timothy 4:12)

Prayer for Today:  Thank you, Lord, for the teen girls in our lives.  Help us to treasure them, encourage them, and learn from them.

This post can also be found at http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2014/02/wise-woman-linkup_18.html

Author: Kathy Pollard

I'm a Christian woman, happily married to my best friend, Neal. We have 3 grown sons, Gary, Dale, and Carl, and 3 sweet daughters-in-law, Chelsea, Janelle, and Emily. Neal preaches for the Lehman Ave. church of Christ in Bowling Green, KY. We love the Lord and His church! View all posts by Kathy Pollard