What do young people really want?

It’s time to ponder how they think…what they tell us when we take the time to listen! Remember: Our ministry is to those at home, also!

1. Love – They want parents who love them regardless of what they do. They want fathers to be home in time for supper with the patience and time to discuss what happened that day.
2. Understanding – They want parents who will at least listen to their problems and try to understand the temptations and decisions they face.
3. Trust – They want parents who have confidence in them. This means, for example, telling them how to act on a date and then trusting them to do what they say.
4. Joint Planning – They do not want parents to dictate to them, but they do welcome efforts to plan with them.
5. Religion – They want parents with strong spiritual convictions. They want them to attend church regularly, to say grace at meals, and to show other evidence of personal faith.
6. Privacy – They want a room to which they can retreat. Here, they want to be able to store their own treasures and to pursue their hobbies.
7. Respect – They want parents who will treat them as individuals. They want to be accepted for their own age and not treated like children.
8. Responsibility – They want to share in the work and decisions of the family. They want to feel needed. (Provided by The Epistle)

Perhaps it would be good to keep the above list in your Bible where you can occasionally review it. If your children are parents, perhaps you should pass these brief thoughts to them.

Never forget: Our most important ministry always begins in OUR OWN HOME!

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; Psalm 103:13 NIV

Tom Swartzwelder

Sep 4, 2024 – On September 3, 2024, Tom Swartzwelder completed the race that God had set before him. He is now with Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith.’

Hebrews 12:1-2A

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ at http://www.godsgreenhouse.net. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”