7. Negative influences. “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character,” I Corinthians 15:33. This not only applies to negative peer pressure, but television, movies, books, magazines, and anything else that’s “bad company.”

One of the most dangerous influences today is the internet. Teens can click their way into any kind of sin imaginable. And when sin defeats, teens either repent or give up.

8. Church member hypocrisy. You’ve probably heard about the guy who refused to go to church because of the hypocrites. His friend told him, “Awe, come on. You can go with me. There’s always room for one more.”

Teens use hypocrisy as an excuse rather than a true reason for leaving the church. Typically they have been hurt, or lack commitment. In reality, they know there is no place on earth they can go without finding hypocrites.

9. Low self-image. When teens don’t like themselves, they find it hard to imagine that anyone else likes them. How can God love me when I don’t like me?

Have teens with a low self-image memorize Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Take teens to a garden and point to the flowers. Let them comment on the beauty of God’s creation, then have them read the Psalm or quote it. It may not take away all their insecurities, but it will help them see what God means by this verse and how special they are to Him.

10. Too much time and effort. Just a few months ago I heard a long time believer say, “Christianity is too hard. It’s not worth everything I have to give up.” Don’t teens think the same way? Don’t we all tend to concentrate on what we give up, rather than what we gain in Christ?

Urge teens who are struggling with the effort required to live for Christ to understand that everyone struggles (Romans 7), but that the reward in Jesus far surpasses anything we could gain here on earth (Philippians 3:1-14).

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul and Al

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