Click here to read Who’s Holding the Sword Part One!

Here is a statistic that might surprise you:

• Fewer than 1/3 of teens (32%)  regularly (once a week or more) read their bible (National Study of Youth and Religion, June 2004)

“…man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  Matthew 4:4

“For the Word of God is alive and active…it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

That would explain why we have malnourished young people and few who see evidence of God’s profound action in their lives.

The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God…if that is our only weapon, the only weapon of our spiritual warfare that we can train our young people in…1) we know it is more than sufficient, and  2) we better get to practicing it.

Here are a few ideas for training our young people to be more proficient in wielding their own swords:

• Be a good mentor.  Spend time studying the Word yourself.  Discuss with your kids during down times the things that the Lord is showing you in your personal, quiet time.  Ask them for their thoughts and opinions.
• Post scripture around your home.  As a child, I memorized the 23^rd Psalm because it hung on the wall in our restroom.  Be creative and post His Words throughout your home.  They will memorize them with little to no effort, just because they are familiar.
• Look for a devotional book that would be good for your child.  I have seen some for athletes, for girls, for guys, and on topic such as depression, going deeper in my faith, etc.  You know your young person.  Developing the habit is important.  Drinking water is a perfect illustration of this.  If a person has been a soft drink drinker for a long period of time and then decides to drink water instead…in the beginning it is difficult, but the more water one drinks the more we crave.  It is true with the Word.  Once a habit is established they will desire it.  It becomes life to them!
• Spend time as a family reading the Bible.  Breakfast is a great time to be together for 10 -15 minutes as you start your day…feeding them with His Word.  Teaching them to us their sword.
• Have them journal.  It will help them to make sense of what they read and what the Lord is speaking to them if they put it in their own words.

Our young people are valiant warriors, but they must personally be armed for battle.  They are capable.  Try it and see.

My love,

Buy Candy’s book Rescue here! 

You can swim confidently into the murky waters of parenting teens! Rescue offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical applications. Working with a group of young “Lifeguards” throughout the book, Candy Gibbs gives struggling parents the life preservers they need to rescue teens from a drowning culture. With Biblical insights and Candy’s own creative techniques, Rescue is the “Noah’s Ark” of parenting books, ensuring that today’s teens will carry on a legacy of godliness to generations to come. Find out more!