After a week off for Easter, on Sunday morning we were back into our six week series called HABITS, part of our annual teaching focus on spiritual habits that are a vital part of the Christian life.  So far we’ve covered the H (Hang time with God – quiet time) and the A (accountability) and the B (Bible memorization).  We’re using the series ‘Building Wise Habits’ from the Live Curriculum, a great four year resource we’ve been using this year in our small groups and some Sunday mornings.  This week was the I, which stands for Involvement in church!  I actually taught a combined group; our middle school teacher for the week was home sick.

On Sunday we talked about being involved in and serving within the church body. God has gifted your teenager in ways that you might not even know about. Jesse didn’t know that David, his youngest son who was out with the sheep, was already picked by God to lead Israel. Challenge your teenager to step out in faith with God and serve and to be plugged in to the church.  One of the biggest investments we can make as parents in our child’s spiritual future is making church a priority; last year I read a survey that found that something like 80% of kids who get plugged into a church and continue their faith in college were kids that were regularly a part of the whole church worship service in high school.  It’s a critical habit that has long term benefits and fruit!

Here are some questions you could ask your teenager this week to start some good dialogue:

• Are you afraid of the future? Why or why not?
• Do you feel qualified enough for God to use you to minister to other people?
• What would it be like to get involved in a ministry at church and serve other people?

Thanks for your spiritual investment in your child. I get to see the results every week!