Understanding teenage rebellion only as sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll implies that the goal is celibacy, sobriety, and employment. It’s not.
It’s Jesus.
22 Words
Exercises in getting to the point (or avoiding it) by saying what I have to say in twenty-two words, not counting titles.23 Comments »
ED wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 4:10 am
Teenagers rebel in a much more obvious way because they haven’t learned to hide their sins like adults have. They are often not sure how to love their idolatrous lifestyles in the way adults are able to. It’s adults that scare me. Teenagers usually retain some of the idealism that indicates that not everything of eternal perspective has been eroded from them. There is more hope for hopeless prodigals than there is for smug cynics.
Einstein once said: “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.” Perhaps this can be balanced against JB Priestley’s observation: “Like its politicians and its wars, society has the teenagers it deserves.”
ED.
http://blog.myspace.com/CAUGHTNOTTAUGHT
Dave Miers wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 6:17 am
Amen. It’s all about Jesus.
Wise Words of Prevention for Parents « 10:31 To Glory wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 8:58 am
[...] “Getting A’s, obeying curfew, and wearing Polos doesn’t save anybody. Understanding teenage rebellion only as sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll implies that the goal is celibacy, sobriety, and employment. It’s not.” [...]
1031toglory wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 9:10 am
Well said. And concisely. I linked this post, as well as the article you wrote about your rebellion and suggestions to parents. Also, your dad has an excerpt from the new book he’s writing which I linked too. The parenting thread seems to woven throughout!
Anyhow, as a fellow prodigal myself and of the same age, I’m always amazed of God’s grace and His pursuit even when we were running the opposite way. Keep writing.
Dave
http://www.1031toglory.wordpress.com
Robin (PENSIEVE) wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 9:37 am
The truth is, we all too often view parenting success in terms of outward conformance; if we can keep our kids away from the “big three”, we’ve done our job.
If only it were that easy.
It starts with the state of OUR hearts..my heart…as parents (as a mom). Am I more enthralled by the beauty and glory of Christ or am I satisfied with less.
All too often, less is good enough.
O u c h.
jamsco wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 9:44 am
Very Good. And I will add -
The goal is not achievement, with-it-ness or intelligence either.
Now it may be more pleasant to have a successful unbelieving son than a God Worshipping but unable-to-function-in-society son. This won’t be the case in a thousand years.
stephanie wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 12:11 pm
YES! Amen! Jesus, it is!
Stephen wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Nice summation of what I’ve heard your dad say more than once. It may have even been in a book or two.
Shannon wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 1:25 pm
This is exactly what I’ve been thinking about the past few days. When I hear people’s thoughts about teenagers and their behavior, it is accepted that they will rebel, be sexual creatures, make horrible mistakes, defy parents, etc.
I feel that even though this is the worldly norm that is accepted as just being a part of growing up…I disagree that this is how it just going to be, and as a parent, we are to just accept it.
This is just another way that culture has slowly crept into the church.
philthecarl wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Rock on!
Luke wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Abraham, when you say the goal is “Jesus”, what do you mean?
Sam James wrote @ April 28, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I think he means the goal of life should not be an avoidance ethic. It should be loving the Lord you God with you all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all you mind. And loving your neighbor by pointing them to your God.
I remember a quote by a former rock star who said its really easy to live hard, get wasted and trash your motel room. What was radical was living for Jesus. He called THAT ‘rebellion.”
Although, I wish you would show the polo some love. I like polos. They’re inexpensive, multifaceted (casual+formal), and very comfortable.
Boaly wrote @ April 29, 2008 at 2:57 am
A Huge AMEN to this post!
Brandon wrote @ April 29, 2008 at 8:12 am
Man…true that.
proverbs31 wrote @ April 29, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Well said!
A reminder of why we should be training our children’s heart and not just their behavior. It’s all about Jesus.
Elizabeth Esther wrote @ April 29, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Sam James–”an avoidance ethic.” Loved that description.
Jimmy Davis wrote @ April 30, 2008 at 9:53 am
I was just talking with some dads of teenagers about this at breakfast this morning. Our culture does have “low expectations” for teenagers, but then so do our churches. Too often the highest aim of our churches is “getting kids involved in church and/or service activities” and “getting them saved” rather than showing them what it means to treasure Jesus more than doing good things and going to heaven.
Kristin Tabb wrote @ April 30, 2008 at 10:53 am
Jimmy — Amen.
A rebellious heart is not always evidenced in the big 3. Let’s not neglect rebellious kids masquerading as moral “Christians” who have little to no love for the Savior — in other words, they hide inward rebellion with a religious-looking outward exterior but exhibit no passion for Christ or heartfelt submission to Him. This may or may not show up ini the big 3 later in life.
The Problem With Youth. « bryanlopez.com wrote @ April 30, 2008 at 10:56 am
[...] Filed under Gospel, Youth Ministry · Tagged Gospel, Morality, Youth Ministry, Youth Problems 22 Words puts a great quote issues related to morality and [...]
opprør? « Guttegarderoben wrote @ April 30, 2008 at 12:32 pm
[...] Trond Westby opprør? april 30, 2008, 5:32 pm Arkivert under: Surfing, Tanker Dagens sitat går til Abraham Pipers blogg: [...]
mattgrayson wrote @ April 30, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Dude - amen to that.
George Ferris wrote @ April 30, 2008 at 1:29 pm
This is a very perceptive and rich thought, it cuts to the heart of the matte… true Biblical conversion.
Thank you for this Abraham.
Following Jesus :: By Abraham Piper « Reforming Students wrote @ May 15, 2008 at 7:58 am
[...] Abraham Piper [...]
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