Front Porch to Back Seat, Week #2

If you are the parent of a teen, I am sure the topic of "I want a girlfriend" or "I want a boyfriend" has come up often! This week are looking at how both marriage and singleness are gifts, but also what differentiates the two from each other.

Our starting point this week begins in Genesis 2, with the creation of Eve. We will discern from here that God is in control over marriage, the timing of it, and our marriage partner. We will also discuss the fact that marriage is not the ultimate union a person can have. Rather, it our relationship and union with Christ, when we accept Him and become sealed by His blood, that is the ultimate union we can have. Everything else falls under this.

We will also be discussing the fact that Jesus was single. Being a mature man or woman in Christ is not defined by marriage, but by our relationship (read:union) with Christ. We all know plenty of immature married people, right? Lastly, we will be discussing how singleness is a gift from God, for the explicit purpose of serving God in total devotion. Check out 1 Corinthians 7:25-35. Try reading it aloud with your teen, and see what happens!

Our actions steps are to pray about how to handle life with or without a "significant other." The reality for Christians is that regardless, God is our focus! This begins by repenting for having the wrong attitude. We then pray to understand God's will for us regarding our future relationships. We then connect with the church, which is the bride of Christ.

My prayer, and the only reason I take time to write everything above, is for you to interact with your teen about this material. Even if only for a few minutes, your conversation can have a profound influence within the life of you child. I can still remember pretending not to listen or care about conversations like this with my parents. Guess what? I still remember them! And they have helped shape who I am as an adult, husband, and parent.

Blessings,

Chris