Faith Tabernacle 1225 S. Center Rd. Burton, MI 48509 April 2008       “Like father, like son” and “Like mother, like daughter” may not apply very often to you and your teenagers. But you’re having more of an influence on your kids than you may realize. We’ve always known that parents’ faith is important for kids’ spiritual development. Now some landmark research shows just how crucial your beliefs are. The National Study of Youth and Religion recently found that three out of four religious teenagers consider their own beliefs to be similar to those of their parents. What’s more, 77% of teenagers who belonged to a congregation said they expected to be part of a similar congregation at age 25. Teenagers aren’t likely to come right out and admit that their parents are serving as role models. Sometimes you probably feel like your kids don’t even want to associate with you. But another major NSYR finding is that most teenagers desire to have stronger relationships with their parents. They just aren’t sure how to make it happen. So that’s where you come in! It’s up to parents to take the lead with faith discussions in your home. When you’re passionate about your beliefs, that passion will be contagious. Academic studies and real-life examples prove that parents who strive to live out a devoted Christian faith raise kids who tend to do the same. Read on for tips and ideas about developing and passing along this passion. PASTOR BEN'S BLOG Recently I was asked to memorize the words of John the Baptist as recorded in scripture. I did this for a dramatic reading I was to give on Palm Sunday. While I was reading John’s words again something stood out to me. After John famously calls the crowd a “brood of vipers” and tells them that “every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire”, three groups of people ask John what they should do, the crowd, the tax collectors and the soldiers. Here is John’s response to each: 1. (crowd) "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same" 2. (tax collectors), “Don't collect any more than you are required to” 3. (soldiers) “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely-be content with your pay.” What struck me was John’s response to each group. Each response was very practical, it affected the way that they should live and treat others. (continued on page 2) Here are some more results from the NSYR: • Half of the teenagers surveyed said faith is “very important” or “extremely important” in their lives. • Only 8% of teenagers said they’re “spiritual but not religious.” • Teenagers who say their parents love, understand, or pay attention to them are more likely to be religiously devoted than are their peers who say their parents don’t love, understand, or pay attention to them. • Of the teenagers who attend worship services, 70% rate their congregation as a “very good” or “fairly good” place to discuss serious issues or problems. (National Study of Youth and Religion; Soul Searching)

	Although adolescence is a crucial time for faith formation, the process is never complete. Use these questions to talk with your kids about their under-construction beliefs: 1. How important is your faith to you? Would you say it’s your No. 1 priority? Why or why not? 2. What aspects of believing in God are the easiest and the hardest for you, and why? 3. Do you know someone who’s passionate about God? If so, what do you admire most about him or her? 4. Are you being a spiritual example, or mentor, for anyone right now? Explain. 5. If you could change one thing about our relationship, what would it be, and why?		1. God will strengthen your own faith and keep you focused on your relationship with him. 2. God will help you be a good spiritual example for your family and a trusted mentor for your kids. 3. Your teenagers will desire to grow closer to God and to you. 4. Your teenagers will remain passionate about their faith throughout their lives. PASTOR BEN'S BLOG continued..... I believe that our students must see in us the connection between our relationship with God and how it impacts the way we live and treat others. You might think that these kind of things need to be seen and not heard. I would suggest that while you are living out your faith in a practical way that you enter into a discussion with your children about how your relationship with God has influenced you to make the decisions you are making. John put it in simple terms for the people who asked him what they should do. Our students may not verbalize their desire to know what to do but in this phase of their life they are watching us for the answers. They need for us to show them the practical implications of our faith upon their daily lives. The mystical, the super-spiritual talk, the scripture quoting probably won’t have the same impact as explaining to your children why you made the decision to help someone who didn’t seem to deserve your help or to forgive someone who hurt you and never even asked for your forgiveness. These lessons can be deeply meaningful to your teen.
	Great News, Mom and Dad! It’s not car keys, cash, an endless supply of entertainment, or invites to killer parties that make today’s teenagers the happiest. It’s not even hobbies or popularity. According to the latest research, it’s spending time with family! Yes, it’s true. Research conducted by the Associated Press and MTV (yes, MTV!) found that chillin’ with the fam ranked first on the happy-meter. Spending time with friends finished second, followed by spending time with significant others. Did you catch that? The top-three sources of happiness for kids today are based on relationships! Honorable mentions include “sports” in 10th place and “achieving success” in 20th. The happiness survey, more than 100 questions long, pried into almost every area of kids’ lives. It measured everything from money to spiritual experience to pets. Want the best news yet? Of the 1,280 young people polled (ages 13-24), 73% said Mom and Dad make them happy. Told you it was good news! (SimplyYouthMinistry.com)

	This page is designed to inform and educate parents and is not meant to endorse any product, music, or movie. Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your student listens to, wears, and sees!
	Background: Deitrick Haddon began leading worship at age 11, when he gave a sermon at his father’s church. He led the choir at age 13 and later led the singing group Voices of Unity. In 2002, Haddon launched his Christian R&B solo career with Lost and Found. It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel charts and earned much radio time on gospel and mainstream R&B stations. While continuing his own musical career, Haddon, 25, also produces for other artists, including his wife, Damita. Albums: Lost and Found (2002), Just the Hits (2005), 7 Days (2006), Voices of Unity (2007) What You Should Know: Haddon’s energetic praise-and-worship music has many influences: bluesy, soul, big ballads, and dance gospel. What Haddon Has to Say: “Every time I do something, I seek to do it better and do something I believe God is calling me to do,” Haddon says. “I just do what God gives me; I don’t try to be anybody else. I don't let the industry or people dictate what I do.” Discussion Questions: What do you think God wants you to do with your life, and why? How can you know God’s will and plan? When you’re making decisions, how much do you let other people sway you?		musicspotlight Albums: Chris Brown (2005), Exclusive (2007) Background: Teenage recording artist Chris Brown began singing at age 11. Two years later, while Brown was working in his dad’s gas station, a local production team discovered him. His 2005 self-titled debut album featured the hit single “Run It!” Brown’s newly released second album, Exclusive, scored another No. 1 hit with “Kiss Kiss.” Now 18, Brown also has an acting career. He appeared in the dance movie Stomp the Yard and in TV shows such as The OC, My Super Sweet 16, and The Suite Life of Zach and Cody. What You Should Know: Brown’s music addresses relationships, often with inappropriate and sexually explicit lyrics. What Brown Has to Say: When asked how he keeps the fun in success, Brown says, “I think just by being myself. You don’t have a whole bunch of dummies around you. Keep the people that you like around you, and just be yourself.” Discussion Questions: Is it good to hang out only with people who you like and have stuff in common with? Why or why not? In your life, who keeps you grounded? Are you able to “just be yourself” around your friends? Why or why not?
	filmwatch Movie: Prom Night (released April 11) Rating: PG-13 for violence and terror, some sexual material, underage drinking, and language Genre: Horror/suspense Synopsis: Donna’s senior prom is supposed to be magical. But when the night turns murderous, only one man could be responsible. To survive their prom night, Donna and her friends must escape the rampage of an obsessed killer. (This is a remake of the 1980 horror film.) Discussion Questions: What types of feelings do you have about the prom or other school dances? What might make them “magical”? What might make them difficult? How can you avoid some of the challenges kids often face at these big events?