My oldest son is 16. He takes the ASVAB next week and plans to join the military after high school. We have less than 2 years left with him now. His brother is 15 and will be making life plans right behind him.

As I pray for them and ponder them moving on into adulthood and out of our house, I consider, have their father and I done everything we can to train them for a life of godliness and service to the Lord? They are accountable for their own growth and actions for sure, but what do I want to make sure is instilled into them before they leave our covering? What Biblical truths do I want my teen to know before leaving our home?

This list is born from a heart that wants my kids to succeed in standing on truth and producing righteous fruit. This list won’t land them the best education or job. It won’t ensure they make a ton of money. It won’t lead them toward popularity. And, it surely won’t set them high in the worlds standards. However, my prayer is that it will keep them in right standing with their Lord.

1. Salvation is in Christ Alone

The world teaches there are many truths. There can be many routes to God and heaven they say. Even certain groups who claim Christ, will teach a works based salvation. Our teens must understand that it’s by grace alone, through faith alone and by Christ alone!

Scripture Anchors:

Ephesians 2:8-9

John 14:6

Acts 4:12

John 3:16-18

2. Sanctification is a Life Long Process

The human flesh struggle is real. We are declared righteous by Christ’s blood and given the Holy Spirit at salvation, but being made more like Jesus is a journey. We will take one step forward and two steps back many times. We will struggle between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. The goal is that the Spirit wins because we live in a constant state of humility, obedience, and repentance before our God.

Scripture Anchors:

Romans 7:14-25

Galatians 5:13-26

1 Corinthians 6:11

Titus 2:11-14

3. Put God First in ALL things

Two of the most famous quotes from Jesus tell us to put God first:

1. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
2. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 27:37

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness means that God comes first. No matter what we want or what we feel, God’s plans and purposes are better and worth it. His promise is that when we put Him first, He will give us all of the other things we need.

Loving God with all we are is the first and greatest commandment. It seems impossible to the failing human condition. How do we begin to teach our teens to love God the way they should? We teach them dependence on God and a close prayer relationship so they can ask God to help them in areas where we don’t love Him with all their whole being. It is His power and mercy they need to do the impossible.

Scripture Anchors:

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Matthew 6:33

Matthew 27:37

Psalm 119:33-40

4. Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

Love is the answer. Not just any love, but God’s immeasurable, never-ending, conditional, sacrificial love. That’s the kind of love that changes hearts, brings peace, and overcomes the evil of this world.

Love covers over all wrongs. It doesn’t just mask sin and evil so they aren’t evident, but it cleanses, forgives, and exchanges wicked for good. This was never more evident that when Jesus took our place on the cross!

We teach our kids this truth so they realize that because they have been forgiven much, they should forgive others much. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)

Scripture Anchors:

Proverbs 10:12

Proverbs 17:9

1 Corinthians 13:5

1 Peter 4:8

5. The Love of Money is the Root of All Kinds of Evil

I want my kids to have a job that they love and one that will provide for their families. I never want them to think that what they do only has value if they make lots of money doing it. I also want them to know how to manage money and how to save for their future, but I don’t want this to keep them from living generously.

All in all, the truth they need to understand is that money is required to live and work in this world , but it is not taken with us to heaven and it is not to be loved or valued above God, people, or kingdom work.

Scripture Anchors:

1 Timothy 6:10

Mark 10:17-25

Luke 12:16-21

Matthew 6:24

6. You Are IN the World; NOT OF the World

This is the truth we continually pump into our children: You were created by God and for His glory. You are put on this earth with the mission to love God and others. You are called to tell of His wonderful gospel. You are currently living on this earth but you are a citizen of heaven.

You are called to live holy (separate) as God’s child. This means that we pursue the righteousness of God by following His law and not be dictated by human emotions or worldly norms. This Biblical world view should shape every decision you make.

Scripture Anchors:

John 15:8-9

John 17:14-17

Romans 12:2

1 John 2:15-16

7. We Don’t Fight Against Flesh and Blood

While we live separate from the world in word and deed, we do not look at people as our enemies. We do not keep ourselves from relationships that will show other’s the love of Christ.

Evil is rampant because we have a very real enemy in Satan. We have to remind our teens often that getting angry and holding grudges against people only hurts us. We are called to forgive and pray for our enemies.

We remind them that we fight Satan by knowing God’s word (Jesus was our example when he refuted Satan in the wilderness with scripture-Matt. 4:1-11), praying often, and overcoming evil with good.

Scripture Anchors:

Ephesians 6:10-13

John 10:10

1 Peter 5:8

Luke 22:31-32

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

8. Pray Without Ceasing

Teaching our Children to Pray is a basic responsibility of the Christian parent. We remind them to “cast all of their cares on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) We also remind them that “we come boldly before the throne of grace so we can find mercy in our times of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

More than that, we not only pray because we have needs only God supplies, but we also have to remind them that we confess our sins (1 John 1:9) and offer praise and thanksgiving daily.( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

This deeps their devotion to the Lord. It also keeps them dependant on His presence in their lives. As they see God answer prayer and feel the peace He imparts through giving their burdens over, they grow their faith.

Scripture Anchors:

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Luke 18:1-8

Ephesians 6:18

Matthew 26:41

9. Church Community is NOT Optional

The statistics reveal that almost 70% of teens leave church once they graduate high school. This number is too high for comfort. This means that the majority of our kids youth groups won’t be seen in a church ever again and many will be in their 30’s with a family before they ever step foot in a church again regularly.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my kids to be a statistic. This is why they need to understand the importance of the church community in their lives. We have to make church a fellowship with other believers a priority. We MUST talk about the sermon after church, pray for our church leaders, and make friendships with the other believers.

Another important truth is showing our kids how to serve in the body. The need to know that not only do they need the church, but the church needs them. Put them to work as soon as they are old enough. Teach them to tithe 10% of their income when they get a job. Do local mission work and go on family mission trips.

Scripture Anchors:

Hebrews 10:24-25

Acts 2:46-47

Exodus 20:8

Ephesians 4:11-16

10. God NEVER Leaves You

God’s promise that “I will never leave you nor forsake you” is found in multiple books of the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments. There is no place we can run or hide from the presence of God. There is no thing we can do beyond His forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Our teens need this promise in their hearts in minds so that they know that the Lord is very near to them in Spirit and that His love never runs out. His goodness and mercy will follow them all of their days.

Scripture Anchors:

Psalm 139

Hebrews 13:5

Nehemiah 9:31

1 John 4:16

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