____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ January 19, 1992 ____________________________________________________ Teen Problems and God's Solutions by Tom Edwards Children today are growing in a much different world than the one we did twenty-five or more years ago. It is good to be aware of many of the problems which are young people are facing. I've often heard people commenting of the time (which was not too long ago) when nobody ever bothered to lock the doors of his house or car. There was not much need to. When I was in school, certain dress-codes were enforced: boys couldn't wear long hair, girls couldn't wear slacks (except on cold days), shirts had to be tucked in, and socks had to be worn. It is much more, however, than just the dress codes that have been changing in school. I have kept on file a list of drastic dissimilarities among school kids of 1940 to those of 1982. The way these changes have been heading is alarming. For instance, in 1940, here were the top offenses in public schools: 1) talking without permission, 2) chewing gum, 3) making unnecessary noise, 4) running in the halls, 5) getting out of turn in lines, and 6) not putting waste paper in the wastebasket. These all seem harmless enough, but now let us notice the top offenses in public schools for 1982: 1) robbery, 2) assault, 3) rape, 4) burglary, 5) bombings, 6) arson, 7) vandalism, 8) extortions, 9) absenteeism, 10) drug abuse, 11) alcohol abuse, 12) pregnancies, 13) abortions, 14) venereal disease, 15) suicide, 16) murder, and 17) gang warfare. Yes, times have changed; and it appears that teen problems are reaching epidemic proportions. Let us hear of some of these as cited by Nancy Reagan (the former First Lady) on a program entitled Teenagers at Risk that I have re-adapted for this article: Statistics show that 1 out of every 4 teenagers becomes a problem drinker while in high school. The seriousness of teenagers and alcohol is also indicated by the numerous traffic accidents involving young people. Drunk driving is the single biggest killer among teens in the U.S. The records also show that 4 out of every 10 girls will become pregnant before they even leave their teens. What this means is that out of 12 million teenage girls in America, 680,000 will have babies this year. This, of course, runs into other problems: half of all welfare payments go to women who gave birth in their teens; within two years, 30% of teen mothers will have a second child; only 50% of teen mothers will get a diploma. Also, 1 out of every 4 teenagers will drop out of high school. 10,000,000 have dropped out since 1975, which is costing the government about $20 billion every year. Dalton, Georgia, known as the carpet capital of the world, once had the highest drop out rate in the country--a staggering 50%! This is not just a school problem, for crime and welfare rises right along with it. Another startling figure is with regards to suicide: An American teenager commits suicide almost every 90 minutes; 500,000 will attempt suicide this year--5,000 will succeed. In one school district in Denver, Colorado, 11 teenage suicides had occurred in a six-month period. The report continued by indicating that this was not uncommon. Yes, the world is on a morale and a moral decline. But is there a ray of hope that can penetrate the mist of darkness that many of our young people are dwelling in? The Hebrew writer exalts in God who cannot lie and testifies that ''...we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek'' (Heb. 6:18-20). Samuel of old, that great prophet and priest, committed his life to the Lord while he was but a youth. When dwelling with Eli the priest, he responded to God's call by saying, ``Speak, for Thy servant is listening'' (1 Sam. 3:10). Samuel realized that even though he was young, he could still be of service to the Almighty God. We, too, need to each be willing to listen to the voice of God through the sacred writings of the Bible and learn of those truths that He would have us to know and to do. It is always encouraging when I hear of our young people striving to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with some of their school friends. Their service to God will not be forgotten by the Lord, and as Jesus shows in John 12:26, God will ``honor'' the one who will serve Him. In writing to young Timothy, Paul exhorted him to ``Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe'' (1 Tim. 4:12). In order for Timothy to have been able to be the right example, there were certain things he had need of knowing; and these he had begun learning while in his early childhood (2 Tim. 3:15). As Solomon writes in Proverbs 22:6, ``Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.'' Undoubtedly, it was due to the upbringing of young Timothy's mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois that contributed toward his own spiritual development (2 Tim. 1:5). The Bible makes us aware of the importance of bringing up our children in the ``discipline and instruction of the Lord'' (Eph. 6:4). It is a great responsibility for the parent to mold his young children into the image of Christ and instill within them the proper incentives. During the Old Testament times, God wanted his people to teach their children ``diligently'' all that the Lord had commanded them. They were to do this when they would sit in their house, when they would walk by the way, when they would lie down, and when they would arise. They were to even write these commands on their doorposts and on their gates (Deut. 6:5-9). Apparently, God wanted the children of these to be constantly instructed and reminded of His truth. Solomon enjoins young people to ``Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth....'' (Ecc. 12:1). What better way can this be done than by studying God's word, meditating upon it, and making application of it in one's life? Yes, the Devil is on the prowl today like a roaring lion--and that, even in our nation's schools--but just as the Lord was there to protect Daniel while in the lion's den, He can also protect you as well, even while in the midst of the most wicked crowd. Many programs are springing up around our nation to help our troubled teenagers, which are showing good results; but let us not forget the greatest help of all that can be found in God Himself. Young people today, remember God while in the days of your youth. For the Lord can make you strong like David, who said, ``Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever'' (Psa. 23:4-6). ___________________________________________ A PIECE OF PLASTIC CLAY I took a piece of plastic clay And idly fashioned it one day, And as my fingers pressed it still, It moved and yielded to my will. I came again when days were passed; The bit of clay was hard at last, The form I gave it still it bore, But I could change that form no more. I took a piece of living clay And touched it gently day by day, And molded with my power and art A young child's soft and yielding heart. I came again when years were gone; It was a mind I looked upon; That early impress still he wore, And I could change that form no more. -- Selected ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________