Over the past few months, I have started teaching the Bible to teenagers in our church every Saturday afternoon. Teaching Scripture to students aged 13 to 15 is not easy, partly because I lack experience, and partly because of the busyness of other ministries. Most of these young people come from broken families. For example, two brothers in the group have never seen their father, who abandoned their mother and them for another woman when they were still very young. My greatest challenge is not merely teaching the Bible, but helping them grow spiritually, guiding their studies and lives so they can rise above the shattered images of their families. Their parents are not believers, though some have occasionally visited our church.
The wounds of family brokenness leave these teenagers feeling abandoned and deprived of the full love of their parents. One struggles with insecurity, withdrawal, and emotional instability. Others respond negatively to lessons about family love or honoring parents, because their real-life experiences are painfully different from biblical teaching. They also face strong influences from social media and unhealthy friendships, and without parental support, discipleship becomes even more difficult. Read More
