Discussion board 2- Parenting Style in a Postmodern World
In regards to reaching teenagers in a postmodern world, what aspects would be most challenging
for you and why? Reaching teenagers is no easy task, and youth pastors and leaders need to be a
strong resource that lends itself to parents in a postmodern world. The most challenging aspects
today are declining and denying the power of God. Evangelism is a big issue for the teenagers of
today.
What negative parenting styles have you seen among teenagers (in your church or ministry, if
applicable)? I have seen in my church teenage ministry where parents placed academic
excellence as an idol, they are not interested in the things of God and their children grow up
struggling to love God or come to church. They only trained their children to read, go to school
and get a good career forgetting to show them God’s purpose for their lives.
What impact has that style had on their teenager(s)? The impact of this on the teenagers is that
this is dangerous to them because they’re only exposed to being highly intelligent or academic
children who do not know how to lean on their Creator. Proverbs 22: 6 NIV says, “Start children
off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.
What impact has that style had on the way you minister to the teenager(s)? This has caused so
many frustrations to youth leaders because raising successful teens/ youth requires cooperation.
Many parents now are feeling overwhelmed or stressed out. Someone said, “It takes a city to
raise a child” We must partner with God, our spouses, school teachers, and youth ministry
leaders/ Pastors.
In what ways has that style had an impact on you? Church attendance is gradually going down,
making the number of young Christians smaller and leaving them powerless, distracted, uncared
for, and without the fear of God. This teen/youth comes to church once in a while unprepared
and sometimes stays on their phone, or their gadgets. “But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6: 33NIV)
References
Student Ministry Essentials: Reaching. Leading. Nurturing”. By Steve Vandegriff and Richard
Brown Moody Publishers @2015. Accessed February 20th, 2023.
The Holy Bible KJV
Reply 2
I think you did a good job with your post this week Eric. You are very correct in your thread.
Today’s teens have become increasingly difficult, especially with all the technology out there.
Many don’t want to be mentored by their church leaders or parents they turned to social media.
They can be doing their homework, eating, watching tv, and on the phone. Many parents don’t
know how to set boundaries/ discipline any longer. We need to create a safe environment for
them to learn and protect their destiny from spiritual robbers. Sarah was intentional about
creating a safe environment for Isaac. We must partner with God, our spouses, and divine
relationships like NexGen ministers to enforce victory over anything that prevents us from
creating a safe space for their healthy environment. Start children off on the way they should go,
and even if they are old, they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6). May God help us and may
we not fail in this divine assignment. God bless Eric.
Reply 1
Hello Felix,
It’s nice reading your thread. Thank you for sharing your mind with us. I agreed with you that
“we must be proactive in building relationships and engaging with teens and young adults. The
greatest parenting strategy is to communicate with them with the power of His Word. Also, as for
negative traits among teenagers are not seeing good examples from their parents or leaders we
must lead by example and as we continue to strengthen godly character traits through prayer and
perseverance, our children will pick up and develop those same traits. How we reflect God’s
truth in our actions every day is often more important than what we say about God’s truth.
Proverbs 20:7 says “the righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
Finally, we have to be willing to discipline our children, working with Christian parents who are
not disciplining their children is one of the most challenging and discouraging things about
ministry today. This leads to frustrations in youth leaders because raising successful teens/ youth
requires cooperation with the parents. Thank you again Felix for your post, stay safe and stay
blessed.
