Money Problems

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/

Conversation Starters:
A few ideas each week you can use at the table, in the car, or any time an opportunity comes along to talk with your kids about wisdom and God's Word.

Whatever your family has talked together about during this economic crisis, it continues to be a great opportunity to discuss financial wisdom and foolishness with your kids.

Money Problems

This Week: Money Problems
The economy may be beginning to bounce back this week. At least, that’s the spin this news cycle. Whatever your family has talked together about during this economic crisis, it continues to be a great opportunity to discuss financial wisdom and foolishness with your kids.
In addition to looking for natural opportunities to share from your own experience, understanding, and insight about the financial issues in play today, we’re encouraging parents this week to consider the ancient wisdom of Solomon about money as he expressed in Ecclesiastes 5. Consider reading that chapter as preparation for talking through the questions below.

Scripture identifies Solomon as the wisest and perhaps wealthiest man who has ever lived. Surprisingly, he was highly cynical about money. He saw money as fickle, limited, and ultimately disappointing. He urged his readers to develop the ability to enjoy what they had rather than making acquisition the point of life.
We’d love to hear if any of the following questions provoke some honest and productive conversations with your kids.
Talking Points:
-What does it mean to you to “love” money? Can you think of anyone we know who seems to live for money?
-What would be so wrong with living for money?
-Why do you think the economy is in such a mess right now?
-Do you think people who live for money ever feel like they have enough of it?
-How much money do you think you would need to be really satisfied with life?
-One of the problems with having things is that it costs so much to take care of those things. Have you ever thought about how much it costs to keep our car(s) running from month to month?
-During this economic crisis, people have been buying way fewer cars. What do you think that means for all the people who make their living on the costs that come with buying and owning cars?
-Have you noticed that we sometimes seem to get anxious or worried about money? Why do you think people get so uptight about money issues? Does it bother you that we can get worried about money?
-Do you think it’s sometimes easier to have less money if it means you have less to worry about? Why or why not?
-Do you think it can ever be unhealthy to have too much money? What would be some unhealthy attitudes that could come from having too much?
-Do you think people with lots of money should be more or less generous with money? Why do you think God cares so much that we give away some of our money?
-After everyone we know right now has died, will it matter who had the most money? Or who was the poorest? What will matter about our lives after we’ve died?
-How do you think we as a family do at really enjoying our lives? Do you think we enjoy our meals together? Our play times? The good things we have?
-Do you think it’s possible to really enjoy work? Why or why not?
-Do you think we do a good job at telling God thanks for all the good gifts we have? How could we do better at that?
-Does money provide all the good things in our lives or do they come from God? (See James 1:17)
Obeying God First
The challenge we face in communicating our commitment and passion for obeying God to our kids is not a new one, of course. It’s the same challenge the nation of Israel faced with each new generation. And we know they were not always successful. In fact, their record was pretty dismal. Human nature has not changed. Still, God has laid it at our feet to get their attention and pass the spark on in a way that has the best chance to catch flame. Specifically, the goal is to get them to internalize their responsibility to obey Him first and above all.
Trying Harder
Is it possible that some of us have taken some of the challenge out of following Jesus for our kids? Have we described a relationship with God that is too easy, that only requires students to talk the talk and stay out of serious trouble? Is there value in setting the bar higher for our kids (and ourselves) and then making sure they notice the sweat involved in running after Jesus?
Known by Their Texts
If in the distant future some diligent historian were to uncover a letter or e-mail or series of text messages to or from your child, what would they learn from that snapshot? What would they conclude about your child’s character, faith, or values?
One More Thing
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.
Standing Stronger
Your children may sometimes feel as if the secular media culture, especially, is hostile to their faith. Closer to home, the reaction of peers to bold belief in Jesus can range from simple confusion to open contempt. How do your kids stand strong against cultural pressure to violate their biblical convictions?
God is Good
Your student lives in a youth culture full of voices questioning God’s goodness. Even those of us deeply convinced in the goodness of God are sometimes tempted to question that. To help your student think and talk about God’s goodness, read through Psalm 40 this week and look for the right opportunity to ask your student a few of these questions.
New Year, New You
From a wisdom perspective, you can help your student think through issues like where the power to change for the better really comes from, how growing spiritually is similar and different from just getting better grades or getting in shape, what “obvious sins” are and are not, and what someone becoming more like Jesus should start to look like.
The Foolish Joy of Mocking
Many students fall into the habit of mocking as a way for covering up their own insecurity. Afraid of looking stupid, some will mock others before they can become the victim. Eventually, the habit can become a lifestyle.

2. Learn Their Lingo
MOOS = Text message slang for member of the opposite sex.
Nonversation = A completely worthless conversation, wherein nothing is illuminated, explained or otherwise elaborated upon.

3. Movie Reviews for Parents
Monsters vs. Aliens
This Dreamworks Animation film isn’t built to provide lots of worldview issues to chew on. It’s a funny 3D romp packed with recognizable actors voicing… Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/monsters_vs._aliens/
Knowing
Knowing
Until the last act, “Knowing” feels like a somewhat standard spooky, sci-fi story in which the hero races to figure out the secret in time… Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/knowing/

4. Links to Learn From
Girl violence getting more lethal
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Girl+violence+getting+more+lethal/1418840/story.html
Vitamin D Deficiency Makes Young Girls’ Muscles Weak
http://www.naturalnews.com/025914.html
Allergy sufferers cautious about peanut research
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/allergy_sufferers_cautious_about_peanut_research_03-24-2009.html
Scholarships Drying Up [Associate Press]http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hAgWZsDAa8xaSjrav7_IW8i7a06AD96SCVF80

5. A Little Encouragement...And Humor
Teenagers are people who act like babies if they're not treated like adults.- MAD Magazine


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