Biblical Parenting -Teens- Ephesians 4:11-16

Objectives: Empower Purposed Parenting Empower Protective Parenting Empower Proactive Parenting

Key Text: Ephesians 4:11-16

Ministering to Your Teen… Ephesians 4:11-13

Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

Question Do you pray, prepare, give, and go to your teenager to minister to their spiritual needs?

Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” *Key to Unlocking Doors: The best way to win your teen’s ear is to win his/her heart.*

Do you desire to see your student saved? Questions Do you desire to see your student saved? Do you desire to see your student walking in fellowship with the Lord?

Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” You have quite the role in teenagers’ lives!

Have you met and connected with our team? Questions Do you know how to spiritually feed, teach, guide, and protect your teenager? Have you met and connected with our team?

Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” They won’t grow if we don’t sow and water…

Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” They won’t flourish in ministry if we don’t support them...

Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” The won’t connect unless we encourage them to branch out...

Ephesians 4:13 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

Ephesians 4:13 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Established in worship...

Ephesians 4:13 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Established in the word of God...

Ephesians 4:13 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Established in the local church...

Ephesians 4:13 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Established in Ministry...

Question Do you have a vision with specific goals for the spiritual maturation of your teen that you are trusting God for?

Key Point: In this village effort of raising your teens, parents must take any necessary steps of owning their role in the teen’s spiritual growth and maturity.

Protecting Your Teen... Ephesians 4:14 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

“Social media platforms proliferated, and adolescents began using Twitter (founded in 2006), Tumblr (2007), Instagram (2010), Snapchat (2011), and a variety of others. Over time, these companies became ever more skilled at grabbing and holding “eyeballs,” as they say in the industry. Social media grew more and more addictive. In a chilling 2017 interview, Sean Parker, the first president of Facebook, explained those early years like this:...”

“The thought process that went into building these applications, Facebook being the first of them...was all about: “How do we consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible?”...And that means that we need to sort of give you a little dopamine hit every once in a while, because someone liked or commented on a photo or a post or whatever. And that’s going to get you...more likes and comments...It’s a social-validation feedback loop...exactly the kind of thing that a hacker like myself would come up with, because you’re exploiting a vulnerability in human psychology.” -The Coddling of the American Mind

Key Point: Parents, as well as the rest of the body, must be engaged and plugged in with teens for their spiritual growth as well as their spiritual protection.

Loving Your Teen… Ephesians 4:15-16

Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” 2 John 1:1-13

Question What place does truth have in your home and your love relationship with your teens?

Practical Suggestions: -bible study at home -bible conversation -remember to let the bible be the authority -biblical encouragement

Question How can you prioritize speaking truth in love in your relationship with your teen? Ephesians 5:19-21

Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” God has provided for your need...

Key Conclusion: As a body of Christ and parents of teens here at MBT, we must submit to the gifts God has given us for the upbringing of our youth.