Flipbooks

Who Is a Supportive Adult? Not all of us remember our teen years fondly. For some of us, we avoid think- ing about junior high and high school as much as possible because of the awkwardness, insecurity, and hurts of those years. But isn't that exactly the time when you most needed to know about God's love and acceptance for the sake of Jesus' life, suffering, death, and resurrection? Just for a moment, think back to the adults who were with you during that time. Were there adults outside of your parents who listened to you and cheered you on? Were there adults who taught you about Jesus and who prayed for you? Were there adults who took a chance on you even when you had not earned it? Hopefully, you can remember adults in your life who made a lasting impact on you. As you look back, you may be able to see with new eyes just how powerful their presence was and why you want to be that same kind of adult for other young people. In the Seven Prac- tices of Healthy Youth Ministry, we call these "support- ive adults." God created and designed us for community, to be parts of the same Body. In Baptism, God brings a young person into His family full of supportive adults of many generations. Our parents, godparents, extended family, and a whole congregation pray together to be the kind of people who want God's best for them. The Holy Spirit works through many relationships as we walk through life to help us be who God made us to be. We believe that every teen should have five support- ive Christian adults in their lives. This is a number first suggested by Fuller Youth Institute in their book Sticky Faith. In some cases, youth may have many of these adults, including extended family, Christian teachers and coaches, and youth ministry leaders. In other cas- es, teens may be struggling to find any adults who are providing them with support that points them to Jesus. We don't count just any adult in their lives; supportive adults take on specific and important qualities. 20 Lutheran Life

• Cover