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Faith Topics
How is Your Teen Wired?
Your Teen's Basic Bent
Here are some questions you can use anytime to find out how God has wired your
young person:
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“What really drives you?”
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“What’s the most fun you’ve ever had helping someone
else?”
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“What dreams do you think God has given you?”
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“What can you do that most people can’t?”
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“What ability would you most like to develop? Why?”
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“If God hired you for a summer job, what would you hope it would
be? Why?”
And this one from Doug Fields, a youth pastor: “If you could design
a specific way to serve God and knew you wouldn’t fail, what would you
do?”
Remember that your purpose is to listen and learn, to better understand and
appreciate your teen’s uniqueness. This is not the time for lectures and
advice. Figuratively speaking, you need to have big ears and a small mouth,
tough skin and a tender heart.
Another way to learn by questioning is to talk with others in your teen’s
life: teachers, youth group leaders, coaches, school counselors, Scout leaders,
Sunday school teachers, parents of close friends. Ask what they’ve observed
about your child’s likes and dislikes, interests and passions, abilities
and aptitudes.
Often these people will confirm your own observations. Sometimes, though, they’ll
describe a side of your teen that you hadn’t noticed — or offer
an insight you’d overlooked.
Adapted from Wired by God: Empowering Your Teen for a Life of Passion and Purpose by Joe White with Larry Weeden, Copyright © 2004, Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
Do you have thoughts, questions, advice on this topic? Post your stories and comments in the forum for other parents to respond to. Enter the forum now.
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