Sunday worship is a
cornerstone part of many people's lives. And for many families, going to church
is a compulsory part of living in the same house. And although church
membership is falling in the U.S. around half of all people say
they participate in a religious organization.
For many teens though, the
church may not seem like the most beneficial place. They are in a part of their
lives when they are questioning almost everything they know about the world.
But at the same time, the church can be a good and safe place for teens to
explore their questions about life.
If you're wondering whether
taking your teens to church is a good call, just keep reading below!
Teens Want to Learn
About the World
As people get older and
become adults, the memories of what teenage life was like tend to slip away.
They forget the parties and the sense of rebellion, the possibilities in the
air and the camaraderie with their friends. It's a time when your choices
matter the most, and teens are aware of that.
It is a point in life when
they start deciding who they want to become. They start developing independent personalities, separating themselves from their parents. It's all a healthy part of
growing up, as long as teens have parents at their side who can catch them when
they mess up.
For many teens, a good
church can act as that support network. If they decide to skip class to play
video games, church members can step in and help them study to catch up in
class. This becomes a lesson about the world that will integrate into their personality
— their church can be a friend.
A Key Point of
Healthy Development Is Agency
As teens start their normal
rebellious phases, some parents may feel overwhelmed. Their loving child is
growing up and rebelling against them, leading to tension. It can cause
arguments and fights.
It's important for parents
to remember that the more they fight, the more strain they put on a teen's
relationship with God. They are in the process of figuring out their own
relationship with Christ. It may not involve following their parents every step
of the way.
Instead of fighting about
attending Church, parents can recommend teens participate in other religious
events. And if they start asking big questions about God, parents should refer
them to a faith leader instead of shutting them down.
Parents have a
responsibility to cultivate faith in their children, and there is no way to do
that without showing love and giving agency.
Church Can Provide a
Sense of Community
One of the biggest reasons
many people attend church is to feel like they are part of a community. They
enjoy spending time with people who know them, and who understand their
difficulties. Teens are searching for this exact same sense of companionship.
They want to be friends
with people facing the same challenges in school. They want to hang out and
complain about their families in the same way adults complain about work.
Attending church services can be a great way
for teens to find these kinds of relationships.
It is Beneficial For
Teens to Ask Big Questions
Whether faith leaders
realize it or not, attending church is a way of asking some big questions about
life. It's a place to explore the fundamental parts of belief, and to feel safe
while also navigating questions without real answers.
In other words, it's a
perfect place for teens who are already wondering what their lives may hold for
them. A church that encourages big questions instead of censoring them can
actually cultivate bright and passionate teens as they enter adulthood.
Church Attendance
Can Bring a Family Closer
One of the most beneficial
aspects of attending church is that it can bring a family closer. As long as
services are respectful, and members of a family respect each other, the church
can be a place to build closer bonds.
Of course, there are also
many other ways to get closer as a family. To learn more, just keep reading our
website.
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