It’s a Guy Thing

Encouraging spiritual growth in teenage and young adult guys can be a unique challenge because they often see religion as a weakness and may rebel more than girls against parental attitudes. Keeping this in mind, I would like to share with you some information that I have found useful. According to Bill Beausay in his book Teenage Boys!, there are four important aspects to help create a spiritual home base for these young men.

1. Get Happy: Focus on the joy in your own faith rather than cornering your teenager with ultimatums.

2. Create Proximity: Expose your teenager to people who are alive in Christ, such as speakers, athletes, youth specialists, and other Christian family members and friends.

3. Be Jesus-Flavored: Bring Jesus alive for your teenager by “seasoning” your own life with Christlike behavior. If you live with Jesus’ radical faith and kindness, Jesus will become an actual presence in your son’s life.

4. Get Caught Giving: Don’t just give money. Give time, compliments, gifts, acts of service, blessings, and thanks.