Question:  What are some good scriptures we can use to teach our teenagers about God’s meaning of marriage?

Answer:  First, teach them that humans did not create marriage, God did!  Therefore, God alone is who tells us what marriage is, as well as what we are to believe about it. We find in the first book of God’s holy word:  God’s creation of marriage.  In Genesis 2:18, God says, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (NKJV)  In Genesis 2:22, we read that God took a rib from Adam and He made it into a woman, and He brought her to Adam.  In Genesis 2:23, Adam says: ” This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh;  She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of man.” (NKJV)  In Genesis 24-25, the Bible says, “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (NKJV)  Clearly, God created marriage, and He created marriage to be between just one man and one woman!

Simply put, this is what God intends for marriage to be, and note in the New Testament Jesus does not change the meaning of marriage (Matthew 19:4-6)!  As Christians, we are to hold fast to, support, and live by the teachings of God’s word.

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family     www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries  www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network  www.cbn.com

World Magazine       www.worldmag.com

Question:  My daughter, who’s a freshman in college, has already started getting credit card offers in the mail.  How do I teach her not to get deep into debt like I did in college?

Answer:  Sadly, many young people start racking up credit card debt long before they are ready to handle the responsibility.  In fact, the idea of buying now and paying later has become the norm for many adults as well.  The average family today has racked up a great deal of debt.  They have mortgages on their homes, car payments, and usually more than one or two types of credit cards.  The truth is that many people have such a strong desire to “keep up with the Joneses” that they end going after the biggest house, the most impressive car, and  a multitude of designer clothes and toys, like fancy computers, smart phones, etc.  From the outside looking in, they appear to be the picture of success.  In reality, many people are way over their heads in debt.  They work hard to make others think that they have all their finances under control.  The truth is that they are barely making it work from paycheck to paycheck.  They have too much debt, and it’s their dirty little secret.

As with all things, turn to God’s Word, the Holy Bible, for answers to life’s questions.  Some people may be surprised to know that the Bible gives us guidance concerning finances.  The fact is that there are more than 1,000 scriptures in the Bible that deal with how we are to handle money and belongings.  Teach your children these things.  First of all,  as Christians, we are to look at our material wealth differently than others.  We remember that 1st Chronicles 29:11 says, “Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord.” (TLB)   What we have really belongs to the Lord, so we are to be good stewards of that part of His that He has entrusted to us to handle.

Therefore, we should want to be responsible in handling money.  The Bible teaches us to manage the money we have been given in a way that would lead us to not only have money for our daily needs, but also for the future.  Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.” (TLB)  Plus, the Bible warns us in Proverbs 22:7 that “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.” (TLB)  Those who have experienced it will tell you that being deep in debt does make you feel like you’re in bondage.  You may be working hard to bring money in for your family only to have to pay most of it back out to debtors.  The Lord does not want us to carry this type of financial burden.

One of the ways parents can teach their children to handle money well is to be good money managers themselves.  Set the example for your children.  Seek out good Christian resources to help you understand how to handle your finances in the way that pleases God.  One such resource is Crown Financial Ministries.  Check them out at www.crown.org. and start getting rid of your dirty little debt secret!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family     www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries  www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network  www.cbn.com

World Magazine       www.worldmag.com

Question:  Our teenager refuses to report that she saw two of her good Christian friends cheating on a class test.  How do we explain to her that she should report them even if she risks losing them as friends?

Answer:  It can be hard for parents to admit to their children that some of those nice, church-going people aren’t always living like an example of Christ to the world.  As parents we can find it easier to present people as simply the “good guys” and the “bad guys.”  It’s very disappointing to realize that some of the “good guys” are participating in some really bad things when they think no one is watching.  This can be adult Christians who still think it’s alright to cheat on their income taxes or that it is no big deal if they sneak a few grapes to eat at the grocery store without buying the bunch.

It’s certainly true when we see church leadership caught up in inappropriate sexual behavior and refusing to step down from their positions.  Many times, their members  still support them staying in those leadership positions when they know these leaders should be removed.  All the while, we will see all these adult Christians in church the next Sunday, enthusiastically praising the Lord and claiming to love Jesus like nothing was wrong.  We can even find these same people looking down their noses at the drunks, drug dealers, and prostitutes on the street corner.  At least these people on the corner aren’t claiming to be Christians.  At least, the people on the corner aren’t holy hypocrites!

Therefore, explain to your teen that Christians are to be “salt and light” for our Lord.  Refer to Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth…” and Matthew 5:16, ” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (NKJV).  Let your teen know that it is more important to please God by doing the right thing than to please these friends.  Real Christian friends will stay friends.  So, tell your teen to go to these friends and encourage them to turn themselves in.  But, if they don’t, report them, and also, pray for them to repent.  This may be hard to do, but no one said that being a Christian would be easy.

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family          www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network    www.cbn.com

World Magazine            www.worldmag.com

Question:  Is my 5-year-old too young to teach about Jesus Christ being our Savior?

Answer:  No, I believe that the average 5-year-old is able to start to understand that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to save us from the punishment of our sins.  As your child gets older, he will be able to understand that our sin separates us from God.  To be with God forever, we must accept His Son, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Teach your child John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” NKJV

Teach your child that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but He did not stay dead.  He rose on the third day, and lives with His Father, God in Heaven.

Teaching your child these things is the best gift you can give them.  So, go ahead and celebrate Easter with your family knowing that you know the truth of God’s love for us.  Rejoice!   He is Risen!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family          www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network    www.cbn.com

World Magazine            www.worldmag.com

Question:  How do I get my child to stop blaming others for his bad behavior and take responsibility for his actions?

Answer:  Many times, children first learn how to avoid taking responsibility for their actions from their parents.  For example, they may hear their parents blaming the rainy weather as being the reason they couldn’t get to church that Sunday.  However, the children see these same parents going to their jobs, driving to shop at the mall, or getting to their favorite game at the local sports arena all during rainy weather.   Plus, through the media, children can see popular television stars, musicians, politicians, and athletes  regularly blaming others when they are caught doing the wrong thing  or getting into legal trouble.  These famous figures fail to take personal responsibility for their actions.  Sometimes, after behaving this way, they become even more popular.  What lessons do you expect children to learn from witnessing these adults playing the blame game?

As Christians, we should care about the words we say to others.  Proverbs 8:8 says that all the words of our mouths are to be with righteousness…  With nothing crooked or perverse in them.  Exodus 20:16 says that we should not bear false witness.  In other words, we should not lie.  Blaming other things for our bad behavior when we know in our hearts it’s really our own fault is wrong.  We are not being truthful.  We are telling a lie.

Therefore, teach your children that it is a sin to lie.  Let them know that in your household, you will strive to do what is pleasing to God.  We do not please God when we do what His Holy Word says is sin.  Teach your children that we are to pray to the Lord for forgiveness of all of our sins…including when we sin by playing the blame game.  God hears our prayers, and He will forgive us our sins. Be their best role-model by accepting responsiblity for your actions!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family          www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries  www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network   www.cbn.com

World Magazine                 www.worldmag.com