Talking About Love and Prayer

Contents
1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Movie Reviews
4. Links to Learn From
5. A Little Encouragement...And Humor


1. Tools for Parenting Teens
From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

You know that feeling you get when you’re saying goodbye to a son or daughter on the way out the door to a big trip or major event? Or maybe you’re the one headed somewhere for a few days.

Suddenly, you fall into a rush of last-minute instructions and helpful direction. Sometimes, your most important guidance comes out in those “signing off” moments.

This week, we’re pulling our talking points from some of Paul’s last-minute instructions to his friends in the town of Colosse. He’s writing to them from prison—where he’s locked up for preaching about Jesus—and he’s wrapping up his short-but-urgent letter.

What he says to the Colossians are instructions very similar to what we hope our kids will follow as they continue their walk with Jesus further and further from us toward adulthood and independence.

Take a minute to read Colossians 4:2-6 to prepare your heart and mind to discuss some of the following questions during any available teachable moments that spring up this week.

Talking Points:
What does it mean to you to be completely committed to something?
What are some of the things in your life you’d say you're 100 percent devoted to?
Which of those things would you say is the most valuable to you?
How big of a deal is prayer in your life?
Is it just a chore you know you should do—or an essential part of your day that you can’t imagine living without?
When does prayer feel the most valuable or “essential” to you?
What are 10 things you’d say you’re thankful for today?
What are 3 things we could maybe ask for God’s help with today?
Have you ever thought about praying that more and more people will trust in Jesus and become Christians?
Could we ask God for that in our town? In your school? In our church?
If you were going to regularly pray for 3-4 people in your life to become Christians, who would go on that list? Why do you think those people come to mind?
What would be some good things for us to pray for your youth leaders or for our pastor at church?
Do you have any Christian friends who act like different people when they’re with unbelievers than with other Christians? Is that a problem?
Should we talk and act “more Christian” or “less Christian” when we’re with unsaved people?
Do you ever think about the way our family makes God look to people who know we believe in Jesus? How could we do better at that?
Do you have any projects or jobs in your life that you think have been given to you by God? If so, what?
How would you define the word “grace”?

Featured Resource: Raising Sons and Loving It!
A book that helps parents understand the unique challenges and corresponding opportunities of parenting sons, you’ll find within its pages advice on everything from recognizing the dramatic differences between boys and girls to the specific ways parents can cultivate their son’s heart for God.
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2. Learn Their Lingo
hello list = The list of people you have to or want to say “hello” to on a daily basis.
BFD = text message short code for “big freaking deal”

3. Movie Reviews for Parents
Confessions of a Shopaholic
“Confessions of a Shopaholic” may be an average romantic comedy brightened by the Lucille Ball stylings of Isla Fisher, but it is built around some… Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/confessions_of_a_shopaholic/
Coraline
“Coraline” is simply a feast of imagination for the eyes. Every character and setting and prop and color and texture pops out of the screen… Read Review:http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/coraline/

4. Links to Learn From
Bebo teen slang terms to appear in dictionary [Telegraph UK]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4601440/Bebo-teen-slang-terms-to-appear-in-Collins-dictionary.html

Teens, Sex and Technology, What’s Really Going On [Opposingviews.com]http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/research-teens-sex-and-technology-what-s-really-going-on

Early College Admission and the Adolescent Brain [Inside Higher Ed]http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/12/early

Gambling in School? [Radio Iowa]
http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=70F2C363-5056-B82A-37EBB33B190F4305

5. A Little Encouragement...And Humor
Mothers are all slightly insane.- J.D. Salinger