Last month, I shared that I would be writing letters to different generations, focusing on the unique challenges they face in their Christian life and also the unique opportunities for Christ. I am no expert on this topic. What I have to bring to the table is my ministry experience and what I have observed throughout the years. I could definitely say more than I will. What I will say leaves the greatest impression on me. I hope you find encouragement from these letters.


Dear Teenagers,
You may not know this, but there are a lot of books that focus on your stage of life. Well, let me rephrase that. There are a lot of books written for everyone else on how to understand your stage of life–probably more books on your stage than any other. I don’t have anything unique to offer you, but I have a few thoughts about your unique stage of life. I’ll start with challenges, move on to opportunities and close out with a few thoughts.


Unique Challenges

Change
Your teenage years are filled with change. You enter these years fresh out of elementary school and end these years as an adult, expected to either finish college or be thrust into the workforce and fully support yourself. These eight years of your life are inundated with change: your environment, your hormones, your physical appearance, your social circles, etc. This continual movement of change can leave you feeling like life is a bit out of your control. 

Cultural Messaging
Every age faces an onslaught of cultural messaging, but your stage of life may receive the most. It makes sense. You are starting to build your own belief system. If you buy into something now, most likely, you will buy into it for the rest of your life. Therefore, the culture is aimed at getting you to think like it does. And the culture can be relentless. This challenge can make discernment particularly difficult for you.


Peer Pressure
These are the years when you figure out who you are, or at least, who you want to be. Family, friends, and environment greatly impact your identity formation, and your peers bring plenty of pressure to conform–both in good ways and in plenty of bad ways. You are going to be pressured to not disappoint your peers, leaving you especially vulnerable to this challenge.


Society/Parental Pressure
Not only do your peers pile on the pressure, but so does the society and your parents. The choices you make right now can greatly impact your future. Society knows that. Your parents know that. Thus, you face a unique amount of pressure from them. Parents can be especially pressuring, even if unintentionally. Not all pressure is wrong, but the presence of pressure can make this a uniquely challenging time in your life.


I could offer a bunch of other unique challenges, but these four are fairly common in the US. These challenges can greatly impact your Christian life. The constant sense of change can heighten anxiety and fear, resulting in a great distrust in the Lord and a constant desire for control. The bombardment of cultural messaging can quickly drown out biblical influence in your life. Pressure from one’s peers, society, or parents can result in fear of man issues, leading to a disregard of God’s opinion. Being aware of these challenges can prepare you to respond biblically.


Unique Opportunities

Energy & Creativity
You may not think so, but you have a great deal of energy and creativity. Your energy can help ministry be covered at your church, and your creativity can invigorate others with life. You have a lot to offer others and the ministry. Your different perspective might help pull a ministry out of a rut and help it accomplish its purpose more effectively. Put yourself in a ministry where you can pour in your energy and provide your creativity.


Time
You may not think you have time, but you do. You are busy with school, activities, and work, but you have time. You can redeem much of your time for the Lord, even if you are limited because you cannot drive yet. Make yourself available to serve the Lord, rather than spending your time serving yourself. Prioritize your time for the kingdom.


Options
Your teenage years are a great opportunity to explore how God has gifted you to serve the body of Christ. It is a time when you can learn your strengths and weaknesses in ministry. And you can do this from a place where your failure has less of an impact than it will later in life. Take this season of life to serve in a bunch of different ways.


Unfortunately, I have seen the teen years become very self-focused. I struggled with that temptation when I was a teen. I was focused on my future, my education, my sports, my success, my…. You get the point. Take these years to learn how to serve others and the body of Christ.


A Few Thoughts

These thoughts could maybe be understood as encouragement. Let me encourage you:


Learn from Older Christians
We older Christian don’t know the world you live in. Times have changed, yet, at the same time, times haven’t changed. Older Christians have faced the same battles of peer pressure, parental pressure, and all the changes that come with the years of life you are in. They have insights and wisdom that you should find invaluable, providing perspective, and they can be some of your biggest prayer-partners. Get out of your comfort zone and get to know some older Christians who are not your family.


Find Your Identity in Christ
This time of life is filled with uncertainty. Figuring out who you are is normal, and the culture continually pressures you to express that identity, no matter what it might be. Better than figuring out your identity is learning who you are in Christ. Figure out what it means to live in light of who you are in Christ, and this will save you a lot of heartache and anxiety later in life. Many issues that older people face stem from a failure to live out who they are in Christ.


Take Your Faith Seriously . . . Right Now
You may face the temptation to sidestep your Christian life right now, thinking that it can be something to get serious about when you are older. Don’t do it. James reminds you that you are not guaranteed another day in James 4:13-14, and Paul encourages you to make the most of the days right now (Eph 5:16). Believe it or not, this is the best time in your life to spend in the Word, be part of your local church, and get established in the faith. Get ready for the next steps in your life by taking your faith seriously.


Consider Full Time Christian Ministry
There is a major shortage of Christian workers in the US. In 2022, Barna researchers reported that only 16% of Protestant senior pastors were under 40 years old. In 1968, that number was closer to 55%. Times have changed. Very few of the people your age ever consider whether God would have them serve Him in full-time, vocational ministry. Jesus tells us that there is a massive harvest out there, but unfortunately only a few harvest workers (Matt 9:37-38). Would you consider being one of those few? 


Keep pressing on Christ. Love others. 


Your servant in the Lord,