Teens Celebrating Easter

Tomorrow Friday 30^th March, 2018 will be Good Friday and the observation of the day in which Jesus Christ was crucified. By Sunday 1^st April, 2018, Christians all over the world will erupt with joy in celebration of the resurrection of the Lord. That is what Easter depicts because we believe that Jesus was crucified, died, and was raised from the dead in order to pay the penalty for our sin. His death and resurrection gave the assurance that believers have been freed from the bondage of sin, reconciled in their relationship with the Almighty God and have been given the opportunity of eternal life.

Easter is both a family and a communal festivity. In some climes, it is observed as a national event. Schools would be shut down for a short holiday, markets and malls will be filled with shoppers and there will be that buzz of a carnival all over the community. There will be several gatherings of family and friends; brethren from different Christian denominations commemorating the period with programmes focused on welfare and evangelism. Every believer will be on celebration mode.

In a season where entertainment and popularity and outward appearances take priority in the life of teenagers, with tough demands for high academic achievement, hugging of cell phones, lots of friends, planning for higher education, and their involvement in sports and other extracurricular activities, how do we communicate, in a profound manner, the significance of Easter to the Christian teenager? In many ways, adult Christians tend think that teens “don’t understand” when it comes to serious subjects like the Gospel. And Easter is one of those moments!

The truth is that the teenager is no longer a little child. They may not be adults yet, but they just long to belong. Like everyone else, they long to be known and accepted. They long to be part of community and to know that they are loved despite all their insecurities and shortcomings. They are trying to figure out what they will do with the rest of their lives and what their purpose is in order to give them a sense of value. They want to be a part of the Easter and to celebrate the beauty and joy of the period with understanding. So, how can we get our teens to share in the significance of the Cross at Calvary?

Every Christian teenager needs to understand their connection and relationship with the Almighty God, His son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They also need to know that the joy and satisfaction they seek from life can only be fulfilled at the Cross of Jesus Christ where their eyes will be opened to the truth. Teens are longing for things that are real and authentic and will respond when given the straight up truth about the cross and who Jesus is, so that they can see the value. They need the chance to discover that truth in the Bible. 

Connecting with teenagers through the Scripture can be a life-changing experience—they have that unforgettable encounter with the power of Jesus in their lives and can direct their attention toward Him and give their lives fully to Him. In their search for meaningful relationships, they will come to realize that Jesus came to connect with them and break every barrier that would get in the way of that connection. This will speak to their core. In a generation that has grown up among split parents and broken relationships, the story of Easter and how Jesus came to restore the broken relationship with the Heavenly Father and overcome death may be the answer to the cry in their hearts. 

Ms. Alessandra Toscanelli, a mother, author, yoga instructor, personal trainer and life enthusiast shares some ways to get teenagers involved in celebrating the meaning of Easter as follows;

1.    Guide them to Easter

Share the following Scriptures with them during the period: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jeremiah 32:39-42, Isaiah 55:3, John 1:29 and 1 Corinthians 15:3. Encourage them to read, study and write their feelings as they pertain to the referenced scriptures. Discuss their feelings with them to ensure they can relate to the intention of the Bible.

2.    Challenge them to write an Easter post on social media

Romans 10:9 states, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

The social media is very popular with teenagers. Let’s get them to proudly share the gospel to millions of their peers out there for the transformation of lives. At Easter, teenagers on social media need to know that Christ loved the world so much as to give of Himself on the cross. When teenagers tell others about this show of love, it paves the way to establish long-lasting values of faith in other teenagers and youths.

3.    Let them be of service to the community

Exodus 12:11-13 describes the sacrifices offered according to the Law of Moses. When we sacrifice our time, our talents and our energy to serve others, we glorify God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is one of the greatest lessons that teens can learn from. We live in a world full of need and we have been blessed with abundance. Teenagers can go help someone who is elderly; cook and deliver to a family in need next door; write lovely gospel quotes on cardboards and place them around their class in the church; help out during the holiday at a day care center, hospital, etc.

4.    Teach them the power of forgiveness

Teenagers need to know that people do make mistakes and that God is loving, merciful and tender. They should learn that God has the ability to love us beyond any earthly measure and that His love for us is eternal. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

This Easter therefore, forgo some of the frivolous fun and give your family the gift of truly knowing our Savior, Jesus Christ. While Christmas celebrates his birth, Easter brings us the blessings of the remission of our sins and the promise of a glorious future in the kingdom of heaven. Take the opportunity to reach into the hearts of teens around you and let God use you to connect them to Jesus at the Cross this Easter. Happy Easter, everybody!!!

What Kind of Music Should I Enjoy?

Most teenagers love music, nearly all kinds of music. When it comes to music, most of them would be on familiar territory. There are those who desire to be participants in the music environment – sing, play an instrument, write songs, become an entertainer, manage the music icons, produce music (albums, videos, etc), distribute music, organize shows, etc. On the other hand are those who enjoy the songs and shows. You have evidence from the array of ear pieces that teenagers carry along with them everywhere they go and the vast number of music downloads from the internet.

But when it comes to the issue of music in Christendom, the subject is very controversial. Teenagers are usually at loggerheads with their parents and other adults as a result of the music they like to listen to or love to play. People have different views about the kind of music that Christians should listen to. There are those who believe that Christians should choose only pious music to listen to, while others are more liberal.

The Bible does not give much information on the aspect of music in ancient times, but we still have to draw knowledge from the word of God, so that we know the mind of God concerning the music we ought to listen to. Edward John Stetzer, an American author and pastor, gives us some tests which relate to biblical principles that we can apply to music to determine its suitability. He calls them, “7 Biblical Tests for Christians and Music”:

Test #1 – What message does the music portray?

“Examine the words of the song and consider its message. Does this song communicate the Word of God? Does the message appeal to our higher nature, or do the words appeal to our lower nature?”

What kind of message is the music passing; surely the music must have a message to say. Christians should listen to music that will edify their spirit and not music that will pull it down.

Test #2 – What is the purpose of the song?

“All music was written with a purpose in mind. Here we ask, “For what purpose was this song written?” or “What is this trying to promote or encourage?” “

Try to determine the purpose of the song, find out whether it aligns with the word of God. When you listen to music, you can quickly tell what the writer or performer or singer had in mind when he was composing it. Any song that does not bring glory to God does not have the right purpose.

Test #3 – What can you associate or link the music with?

“No music exists in a vacuum. An otherwise good song may be rejected because of its associations. The key question for this test is, “What does the music bring to mind in the heart of the worshipper?” Don’t confuse the question. It’s not what does it inspire in my heart, but what does it inspire in the heart of the worshipper.

This will depend on the context. When I spoke to a group of pastors, some of whom were Jamaican, they agreed that a variety of musical styles could be appropriate for their churches, but not reggae. For them, that style of music was about drugs. I then asked if it would be OK to use reggae music in my church where it does not have the same connotation. They agreed. The music was not the problem, the association was.

For example, many believe rap music connected to violence and misogyny. To others, however, it can simply be a vehicle to rage against sin and “the world powers of darkness” (Ephesians 6:12 HCSB). Lecrae Devaughn Moore, popularly known as Lecrae, is an American hip hop recording artist, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He recently said this in the intro track to his album, Rebel:

“The form of rap is no less godly than the form in most of our hymns.
And I rap the bread of life cause they dyin’ to eat
I’m a rebel you know the kind that die in the street
Cause you refuse to conform,
won’t eat the king’s meat yeah
Christ rebelled by shunning the culture
He eatin’ with sinners givin’ Pharisees ulcers
He never got married, He was broke plus homeless
Yeah, that’s the God I roll wit”

What Lecrae has done in “Rebel Intro” is to take a form and to use it for a different meaning. The form of rap is no less godly than the form in most of our hymns. It is a canvas waiting for a picture. The target of the rebellion by Lecrae and others like him is the prevailing cultural attitudes that are contrary to Christ?”

This alone can make a very good music to be really bad. Sometimes when you hear about Gospel Reggae for example, you feel like you are listening to worldly music. We all know what Reggae is in the world. People have associated it with drugs hemps, and other evils. Hence, for such music to be played in church, peoples’ minds will be drifting towards the real Reggae that they have heard outside, because it did not originate from the church.

Test #4 – What does the music remind you of?

“Memories and past experiences are often associated with significant songs. This can be positive or negative. The memory test asks, “Does the music bring back things in your past that you have left?” Remember, repentance is a significant step in conversion. If you have left the darkness, don’t sing songs that make you want to return. This is often a personal issue, as some may struggle with memories associated with a song that can be enjoyed free of those thoughts by other Christians.”

The music that Christians should listen to must remind them of the old life. The Bible says when a man is in Christ he is a new creature and old things have passed away, behold all things have become new. Hence, any songs that tries to tell you how good the old life is, is definitely not right in any way.

Test #5 – What kind of emotions does the music stir?

“Does the music stir our negative or sinful feelings?”

Music normally draws out emotions from us; it could be positive or negative. Good music should fire your zeal for righteous living, prayer, and godliness. Any music that makes you to desire sin can’t be right for a child of God.

Test #6 – What is the nature of the music?

“This seeks to determine which type of music we understand the best. Some people enjoy and understand classical music, while some don’t. Others enjoy and understand country/western. Other people—also known as “those who are right”—hate it. Those who appreciate classical music would find it easier to worship God listening to a recording of Handel’s Messiah than a southern gospel quartet. This will depend on the person, their tastes and what it is that best encourages their worship.”

We all have different tastes of music, but the major point is that we love to listen to enjoy music that we can understand.

Test #7 – Is the music sweet to the ear?

“This test, like many of the others, is a “cultural” test that will differ from place to place. It looks at the song to determine its merits based on hymnology. Is the song sing-able? Does it make your heart join in the song? A song may have Christian words and be sung by a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ, but the music can be flat and leave the audience empty. That particular song will probably pass out of existence because it fails the music test. “

Even though a song can be biblical, the way it is sung may not appeal to you to the point that you want to join in it. The major issue Christians and churches need to consider when choosing music is that of the message and purpose. They need to discern the type of music that will suit a particular occasion and the purpose for which it is to be used.

From Ed Stetzer at Christianity Today www.christianitytoday.com

Conclusion

God can use any form of music. He has no musical style or preference. When you are choosing music, it is important that you think through the six tests discussed above. You may have the freedom to choose, but you need to use your discernment to choose wisely. Any musical style can pass the test in the right context, but it takes wisdom and a biblical perspective to determine whether that is the case.

Philippians 4:8 (AMP);

“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]”.

Designer Apparel for the Battle Ready Teenager

Ephesians 6:10-17

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

When it comes choosing what to wear to an event, teenagers are such fun to watch. I’ve watched them turn a very tidy room and wardrobe to a bomb explosion site just to choose something ‘appropriate’ to wear. I’ve heard them whine after hours of searching, ‘Mummy, I don’t have any clothes to wear” and meanwhile, there I am staring at the bed completely covered in clothes.

Clothing is an important part of our everyday lives. They are mainly used to cover our bodies, make us look more elegant and also to express a lot about our status, personality and occupation. But teenagers have taken clothing to a whole new level. There’s not just comfort but trendy and flamboyance are some of the considerations. In most cases, what covers the body is not as important as the accessories – jewelry, purse, shoes, tattoos, hair style, etc. And different events require different clothes. There are casual wear, party wear, office wear, sports wear, military uniforms, etc

Our focus this week is not on our physical clothing but on our spiritual clothing. This may require a little clarification. You see, as Christians, teenagers included, we are in a spiritual battle every single moment of our lives. Unlike the physical battle, our opponents are not visible but are equally dangerous and unrelenting in their quest to destroy us. And like in the physical battle, we require the necessary battle clothes and weapons.

I call them designer wears because of their unconventionally distinct style and every Christian teenager needs to understand why and be ready for the battle of their lives. They are unconventional because they are not what physical warriors and soldiers use in the place of battle but there are more potent than any guns, bombs and other weapons. In any case, spiritual wars are not like physical wars; so, using the same kind of clothing and weapons would be a grievous error.

Let’s take a look at the list of the designer wears for the spiritual warrior as described by Apostle Paul:

1.    The Belt of Truth

For the physical soldier in ancient times, the belt secured their uniform and held up their sword. A belt is that flexible band or strap, made of leather or heavy cloth and worn around the waist. A belt supports the trousers or other articles of clothing. We are to wrap the truth around us otherwise the schemes of the devil will overpower us. The belt of truth will counter the devil’s lies and deceit (John 8:44). Without the belt, you would have nowhere to put your sword and without the sword, you would be an easy pick for the devil in the fight.

2.    The Breastplate of Righteousness

The breastplate, another warfare attire, was for the protection of the heart against enemy blows which may come from multiple directions. If the heart is hurt during battle, a soldier could die or survive with serious injury. Proverbs 4:23 teaches us thus: “Above all things, guard your heart, for out of it flow the issues of life”. God’s commandments are righteousness (Psalm 119:172). Our obedience to the word of God is the breastplate over our heart.  Our thoughts lead to our actions and they are initiated and processed in our hearts. If we are to be effective as spiritual warriors, we need to have clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:4). We must guard our hearts.

3.    Good News as Footwear

It would be unbecoming for soldiers to fight without shoes. Such an army is referred to as a ‘rag-tag’ army. The battle terrain is rough and full of dangerous materials; certainly, dangerous for unprotected feet. Apart from protecting the feet, shoes provide stability for the one wearing it. The spiritual soldier with feet clad with good news is a welcome sight (Isaiah 52:7) and experiences peace. How much of the gospel do you have in you?

4.    The Shield of Faith

In ancient times, Roman shields were quite big and were fitted with leather pouches engorged with water. When burning arrows from the enemy army hit the shield won by the Roman soldier, they would be extinguished. As a believer, situations will arise that will test your faith, like sharp objects thrown at the soldier by the enemy. Those arrows thrown at you are meant to hurt you; and they can hurt very badly. The only way to send them into ineffectual oblivion is if you have faith in God. At times, the soldiers will build a safety cordon by linking their shields together. It made a powerful formation difficult to attack. Our strength builds more power when join our faith with that of others. That is why we are encouraged to fellowship with other believers, especially as we are approaching the end time (Hebrews 10:25).

5.    The Helmet of Salvation

The helmet is worn on the head, a very vulnerable part of our body. A violent strike to the head can result in grievous injury or even death. That would be a sure signal of defeat. Protection for the head is essential for survival. So also is our salvation. You have to keep your head safe. The assurance of salvation is our impenetrable defense against anything the enemy will throw at us. Matthew 10:28 says thus: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell”. To win spiritual battles, we must keep our mind focused on our salvation (Philippians 2:12-13).

6.    The Sword of the Spirit - The Word of God

The Roman soldier had two swords, the big one and the little one. The big one could keep an opponent at a distance. The little one was for in when the enemy was nearer, and the Romans used both swords with lethal skill. Paul is referring to the little sword which had many advantages, like possibility of being concealed till needed. We need to keep the Word of God close-by for easy availability in order to destroy the evil machinations of Satan and the temptation to displease God (Psalm 119:11). We have no excuse today, not to be filled with the Word of God. Not with technology having created so many tools and platforms for easy availability and accessibility. The Word of God is not only a weapon of warfare; it is also a roadmap for our Christian journey (Joshua 1:8).

Prayer: (Unknown Author)

Father, without You, I’m exposed, naked, and vulnerable to attack. Please clothe me with Your Spirit. Protect me with Your love. Surround me with Your glory. Awaken my soul for battle. Enable me to stand against the onslaught of the devil. Release through me a blitzkrieg of Your Word. Let my defense be ever ready and my attack spot on. Make me strong. These, I pray for, in the name of the Spiritual Warrior who died in the battle to set me free! Amen.

HOW CAN TEENAGERS HANDLE DISAPPOINTMENT?

1 Samuel 30:6, “David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God”.

It doesn’t matter how old or young a child is, they will face a lot of disappointments as they navigate through life. There are different levels of disappointments ranging from a minor downer (like your best friend forgetting your birthday) to a major incident (like failing a crucial college examination). It is all part of growing up and while it may grieve your heart as you go through such pain, in many respects, disappointment may turn out to be a good thing for teens.

Today, teenagers seem to be more and more overwhelmed, stressed and anxious (American Psychological Association). It is even looking like many of them are experiencing more stress than the adults. Studies by experts report that the common reasons for this include high parental expectations, the pressure of extracurricular activities and the need to succeed academically and socially.

Life sometimes brings us disappointments. Disappointment happens to everyone, but how can teenagers deal with disappointment in healthy ways? The passage above, from 1 Samuel 30:6, has a few ideas on what to do when disappointment hits us.

1.    You don’t have to take it out on others. David’s soldiers were very angry because their loved ones had been taken away, as prisoners, by their enemies. And what did they do? They blamed David. They were so angry and frustrated that they contemplated attacking him. It was a terrible time for David. He was facing a potential mutiny even when his own family members were victims too.

Taking out your disappointment on others is not a healthy way to deal with it. It is also not the best solution. And who are the handy victims? Usually, for teens, their parents, siblings, some friends, school mates, passersby, etc. What would the soldiers have gained from killing David? At best, a temporary relief from the transferred aggression but then, the bigger problem of rescuing their families would still remain. So in the face of disappointment, no matter how provocative, refrain from taking it out on others. Itis a waste of energy.

2.    Find your coping strength in the Almighty God. David was in a difficult situation as the commander of the army. Under his watch, enemy soldiers had attacked his camp and effortlessly carried off his family and those of his men. He was probably in shock, angry, and disappointed in himself but he had additional trouble – his men were furious with him. He couldn’t be more lonely and afraid.

    But David did something really amazing - He leaned on God for coping strength. When you’re down with profound sadness, distressed or disappointed, find strength in God, not on man and not on things. Encourage yourself in His word and let the Holy Spirit cheer you up.

3.    Practice endurance. Nothing goes perfectly well all the time. There are, sometimes, disappointments along the journey of life. Some are unavoidable like the falling rain when you expected sunshine. But you must develop the capacity to face, endure and overcome disappointments. Failing a crucial examination can be very devastating but one attitude of top-performing students is that they turn their disappointment energy into more planning and more studying. Sounds unbelievable, isn’t it?

    When you invest in more practice and more planning, you build the confidence and the skills to overcome the temporary setback. Take driving, for instance. You don’t get it right the first time but as you persevere to learn and correct your mistakes, the greater your chances of success.

4.  Learn healthy physical coping mechanisms. Sometimes, some teenagers turn to substance abuse, violence, disconnection, etc, in order to cope with disappointment. Unfortunately, this can sabotage their chances of future success. We need to find healthier ways to overcome a challenge. If you are feeling depressed or disappointed, one of the best ways to boost your mood and manage stress is through a physical activity that you enjoy. You can go to the gym, swim, walk the dog or just enjoy the great outdoors. These activities can lift your spirits and give you the emotional buffer that you need to tackle the challenge again.

5.    Keep things in proper perspective. In the event that disappointment occurs, talk to someone, a person you love and trust, who can help you keep the matter on a healthy perspective. By having that talk, you will probably, come away feeling like it’s not the end of the world, and that it was probably, not a big deal anyway. At this meeting, you will probably, have the opportunity to vent your anger and disappointment and show your emotions and there would be nothing wrong with that. You’ll also come out of that meeting focusing and healing from what really went wrong so you can engage in problem solving and not jeopardize your relationships and self-esteem.

There will always be challenges in life. Teenagers must learn to cope with any and every disappointment that the world throws their way. If you regard them as lessons, then you have created room to learn and to grow. Disappointment happens to everyone. Choose to take your disappointment experience to God. He will help you through the situation and will be there for you each step of the way.

Acknowledgements:

1.    http://www.jcpohl.com

2.    www.studentdevos.com

3.    https://www.quickanddirtytips.com