Being a Responsible Teenager

Being a Responsible Teenager

by Becky Rene

Introduction

1. We are all teenagers now and there are things going on in our bodies and in our brains.

a. There are things going on in our bodies and they are changing. This is called “going through puberty” and I think you all know about that don’t you? You know what I am talking about so I will not say anymore about that.

b. There are things going on in our brains as well. We are starting to think more for ourselves:

1) We do a lot more things for ourselves without needing our parent’s help; like showering, dressing, and going to school.

2) We start questioning our parents about things. Have you ever said, “Why can’t I stay out with my friends a lot later now? You are being mean to make me come home so early!” and, “Why do you keep nagging me to tidy my room when I am not a little girl anymore?” and, “Why can’t I have a bigger allowance when all my friends get more then me?” and, “I do not want to go to college and you cannot make me!”

2. So we want to be independent and do what we want to do all the time.

a. If you want to be independent then this is not wrong because we all have to grow up to be ourselves.

b. But being rebellious, rude, hurtful, and ungrateful is wrong.

3. I have seen some teenagers who say they are Christians but they are very rebellious and I have even seen some of you girls behaving badly as well. So now I am going to say something about that.

4. Now, even though we are changing from little girls into women, and even though we are thinking for ourselves a lot, we still need to remember some things.

I. Our Parents.

A. Now that we are thinking for ourselves:

1. Let us start thinking about when we were little babies and little girls:

a. Who changed our diapers?

b. Who bought all our food?

c. Who bought all our clothes?

d. Who bought our toys on our birthday and at Christmas and even other times?

e. Who took us to places like the park, the zoo, swimming, skating, bowling, and lots of other places?

f. Who protected us from all kinds of dangers like burning yourself or running in the street?

g. Who made sure we got an education and took us to school?

h. Who nursed us and gave us medicine when we were ill?

i. Who stayed with us all night and worried when we were in hospital?

j. Who gave us money to save?

2. Let us think about now and the future:

a. Who works hard to give us our monthly allowance?

b. Who works hard to give us supper every night?

c. Who works hard so they can send us to college?

d. Who might buy us an automobile when we pass our driving test?

e. Who is going to be very happy for us when we graduate?

f. Who is going to give you away when you get married?

g. Who is going to be very happy when you have your own baby?

h. Who is going to baby-sit for you when you want to go out for dinner on your wedding anniversary?

i. Who is going to be there for us when we really need help or someone to talk with?

j. Who is going to loan us some money when we need it?

B. How does that make us feel?

1. Now, when we were just little babies and little girls, we did not even think about all the things our parents were doing for us, and we did not even know where all our food and toys and stuff like that came from did we?

2. But now that we can think for ourselves, we can think about all the things our parents have done for us in the past, and all the things they are doing for us now, and all the things they will still do for us in the future.

3. Now all that makes us see how much our parents love us doesn’t it? And it makes us realize that we should be very grateful doesn’t it?

a. So that is why we should love and respect our parents and not be so selfish and rebellious.

b. So we should see that our parents are still trying to look after us and do what they think is best for us.

II. Being Responsible

A. Now if any of you girls are arguing with your parents or being cheeky or being lazy and being rebellious then you need to stop doing that or I do not think we will be friends for very long, and that is what the Bible says. I have to be responsible.

1. I am a faithful and obedient daughter (you can even ask my parents about that if you want) but if you are rebellious then we cannot be friends. Look what the Bible says about that…

"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE, says the Lord. AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me, Says the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NASBR)

"I hate the assembly of evildoers, And I will not sit with the wicked" (Psalms 26:5 NASBR)

2. Do you know what happens when you have bad girls as friends? They will make you bad as well! Look at what this says…

"Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33 NASBR)

B. Now if you girls want respect from me and respect from your parents and respect from other adults then you have to be responsible. So this is what you must do…

1. Do you want to please God? – 2 Corinthians 5.9.

"Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him" (2 Corinthians 5:9 NASBR)

a. If you do then you had better be obedient daughters because that is what is pleasing to God.

"Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord" (Colossians 3:20 NASBR)

I dream one day of leaving home and being very independent. I dream of having my own apartment. I dream of having a good career. I dream of getting a good salary. I dream of driving a Peugeot. I dream of teaching a ladies Bible class. I dream of pleasing God in everything I do. I dream of being the happiest woman in the world. Well, those are some of my dreams but even if only half those dreams come true then I will remember it is all because my parents loved me and made my dreams come true. I love you mommy and I love you daddy.