Save file: MP3 - WMA - View related sermons Click here
| Home Page
|
Grace Baptist Church Save file: MP3 - WMA - View related sermons Click here |
TEXT: Proverbs 1:8-19
SUBJECT: The godly training of teenagers #5: Peer Pressure
Introduction:
In the passage before us, we find an ancient father dealing with a very modern problem. He is concerned that his son, reared in a godly home, will fall in with the wrong crowd, learn their ways, and suffer ruin. We call his anxiety "peer pressure".
Who among us does not share Solomon's concern? The prospect of a child falling into drug abuse, fornication, and worse, terrifies the most stout-hearted parent. It therefore behooves us to both appreciate the danger of peer pressure and learn how to effectively combat it.
If God should so bless you in this endeavor, you will have gone a long ways toward the godly rearing of your teenager. But if you should fail here, all will be lost. "He who walks with the wise will be wise; but a companion of fools will be destroyed".
A.Peer pressure may be informally defined as "the influence friends have on your children". It is sometimes, of course, good. "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend". But as used here, the idea is negative. It is the corrosive influence evil children have on their more upright playmates. This "peer pressure" may be obvious or more subtle:
1.It includes an open attack upon the standards taught at home. Your teenage girl is seduced by her boyfriend. Your son's conversation is suddenly laced with vugarity. Your child stumbles in drunk. This is the idea Solomon had in mind. "Let us lie in wait for innocent blood". He's talking murder.
2.But your child can be entirely free from such vices, yet still powerfully influenced by his friends. This is most evident in what I call for lack of a better term, "a lousy attitude". Questioning everything. Arguing. Talking-back. Being a "smart-Aleck". This vague defiance is often transmitted by the example of evil children, often from the earliest years.
B.The danger of "peer pressure" cannot be exaggerated. About it, three things can be said with certainty:
1.Every child is susceptible to "peer pressure".
a.Solomon's son enjoyed an exemplary childhood. His father was the wisest man who ever lived. He was diligently taught by both parents. They strove to, not only control his actions, but to reach his heart. He was given the most refined and comprehensive education. He was immersed in the Word of God. He lived in a Covenant community. He was anything but bored, being groomed for the throne, no less. Yet Solomon still fears that his son may be morally ruined by the influence of his friends. And this was not groundless anxiety. For if you read the later history of Rehoboam, you will see that just such a fate befell him! See I Kings 12:1-16.
b.Indeed, even the most mature saint is vulnerable to the bad influence of his associates. Solomon himself is a tragic example. "But Solomon loved many foreign women...and it was so, when he was old, his wives turned his heart to other gods..."
2."Peer pressure" leads to the ruin of body and soul. 1:18. Cf. I Corithians 15:33.
3.A parent, therefore, must make every effort to supervise his child's friendships. He may not leave such a critical matter to:
a."Chance". In other words, don't let where you live determine your child's friends. Most kids, frankly, befriend neighboring kids, without reference to moral character. Children may be forgiven such folly, but not parents!
b.Child himself. A child is not mature enough to make his own friends wisely. He needs direction! Away from some, and toward others. Only the parent can provide such guidance.
(1)This doesn't mean, of course, to make your kid's friends for him. But it does mean to limit his choices...
(a)...for the making of childhood friendships is not kid's stuff!
(2)It will be painful to everyone: parent, child, and lost friend alike. But it is a necessary pain. For your child's body and soul are at stake.
(3)Here I may cite a personal example, which to this day, hurts me. --Louis Garza--
(4)But someone will object, "I want my child to influence the evil children for good". This is a laudable desire, but breaks down at one point: God doesn't call children to be missionaries. As it is written, "If a man desires the office of a biship..."
A.Instruct your children on what to look for in friends. In other words, teach them the difference between good and bad character, and scrutinize every possible friend in that light. "He who walks with the wise will be wise; but a companion of fools will be destroyed". This character can be known in the earliest years. "Even a child is known by his deeds, by whether what he does is pure and right". The identities of prospective friends are known long before a deep friendship is cemented. Therefore, ask your children (especially the older ones):
1.Things like, "Is he honest? Is he modest? Is he hard-working? Is he moral?" If so, then pursue the friendship.
2.But if not, then "back off", lest it get out of hand, and ruin follow.
3.Children cannot be expected to seek friends of good character unless they know what good character is.
B.Pay attention to his friendships. (telltale signs)
C.Keep the lines of communication open. This is accomplished best in two ways:
1.Be principled in the supervision of your child's friend, not personal.
2.Don't accuse his friends in an ignorant or self-righteous fashion.
D.Build good character in your own children.
E.Set a good example.
F.Give them what they crave from their peers. e.g., attetnion, love, acceptance.
G.Pray much for it.
| Home Page |
Sermons provided by www.GraceBaptist.ws |