Youth and Culture - A Call to Parents

I went to a radio taping the other day. Some pretty big names gathered around the table to discuss 'youth culture' today. Hank Hanegraaff (also known as the "Bible Answer Man"), Alex McFarland, Lee Strobel, Mark Middleburg, and Ryan Dobson sat down with John Fuller to explore the idea of 'helping parents and kids think biblically.'

This may be a bit muddled - just trying to compile from the notes I took.

They wondered aloud if being a teenager today is more difficult than in the past. With the access to the vast array of media today, kids are being bombarded by images that call them to a standard of living quite contrary to the standard God calls them to in His Word. Technology is a tool. All tools can be used for good or for evil - they are not good or evil in and of themselves. They addressed celebrity culture and our obsession with reality t.v., they talked about the classic "the magazines aren't real - everyone is airbrushed" case. Ryan Dobson said at one point, "The girl in the picture is always trying to be the girl in the picture." Interesting. At the end of the day, we are all very very human. We want acceptance, significance, and security.

Are parents providing a home enviornment where these things are fostered and encouraged? I wondered to myself, "are parents casting a biblical vision of life for their children?" What does this look like? Teens look to their parents. Parents, how are you spending your time? How are you spending your money? What do your kids think you value - not based on what you say you value, but on what your actions say you value?

At the end of the day, kids want accountability. They want role models. They want discipleship. They want to be pursued. They want to know someone cares. Parents, stop being your kids friend. Be their Mom. Be their Dad. Stop entertaining and start teaching the Truth. Don't know all the answers? That's okay - find a way for you and your teen to ask the important questions and seek the answers together. Find a way to make holiness a part of your lives. Ryan said it best, "Give (these kids) the things that the world canNOT give them." The things of the world do not satisfy. Give your kids the one thing that lasts - an understanding of who the God-man Jesus Christ is. Parents, treat raising your children up in the ways of the Lord as a full time job. You have the time. Hank Hanegraaff rightly commented, "It is not a matter of time, it is a matter of priority." So turn off the televison. Get off your iphone. Shut down the computer. Read a book together. Spend time outside. Cook a meal so Mom doesn't have to. Create a safe place for your kids to ask questions. If they aren't asking you, they are asking someone else. Lee Strobel rightly said, "If you abdicate your role as a parent, assume the worst." Parents, pray for your kids. They (we) need it. (Thank you, Alex for being the one to talk about the importance of being on your knees on behalf of your children).

Josh McDowell summed it up best when he said, "Rules without relationship breeds rebellion."

Relationships matter. We were made for community. We were made to love one another.

Thanks, guys for a great discussion!