Depression in teenagers pose a sense of danger. Common features include tension, worry, frustration, irritability, sadness and withdrawal. Deuteronomy 31:8 says that ‘And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.’ Psalm 34:17 encourages the weak saying, ‘The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles’. Our heavenly father will quicken us when we are weary, we only need to cry out and trust in Him with the determination He will see us through our situation.
Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively dominate others.
Leviticus 19:18 shows us how to react to those that bully us saying ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor and not bear sin because of him.
A warning goes to those that bully others, thus, ‘Execute justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother’ Zechariah 6:9
Their sexuality through engaging in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation) to acts with another person such as sexual intercourse, non-penetrative sex, oral sex, etc.) in varying patterns of frequency, for a wide variety of reasons.
Sexual activity may also relate to activities which are intended to arouse the sexual interest of another or enhance the sex life of another, such as strategies to find or attract partners (display behaviour), or personal interactions between individuals (for instance, foreplay or BDSM). Sexual activity may follow sexual arousal.
For homosexuality and lesbianism Romans 1:26-27 says ‘For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.’
1 Timothy 1:10 says ‘The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.’ 1 Corinthians 6:8 added that we should ‘Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.’
Use of alcohol and other abusive substances is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others, and is a form of substance-related disorder. Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise. Proverbs 20:1
We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior. Don’t participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy. Romans 13:13*
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Ephesians 5:18
Body/ physical image is a person’s perception of the aesthetics or sexual attractiveness of their own body. Body image can have a wide range of psychological effects and physical effects. There are many factors that lead to a person’s body image, some of these include: family dynamics, mental illness, biological predispositions and environmental causes for obesity or malnutrition, and cultural expectations (e.g., media and politics). People who are both underweight and overweight can have poor body image.
Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4. We are encouraged to build up our inner selves in order to have inner beauty in our attitude. This is way to attract people to ourselves and be a light to the world.
Academic problems – there are numerous things you can do to overcome the academic challenges you will face: attend classes and do the work. Allow yourself time to acclimatise to the new teaching and learning environment. Discuss academic issues with classmates, tutors and lecturers. Develop a study timetable and stick to it.
God says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
Peer pressure is the direct influence on people by peers, or an individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual.
“You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice” Exodus 23:2.
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit” Proverbs 1:10
Parental pressure many teenagers collapse under too much parental pressure. Sleep deprivation, eating disorders, excessive worrying, cheating, burnout, loss of interest in hobbies or withdrawing from friends and family can all be consequences of excess pressure.
Colossians 3:20-21 “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged.”
Galatians 5:25-26 “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”
Social media one of the negative effect of social media or network is it leads to addiction. Spending countless hours on the social sites can divert the focus and attention from a particular task. It lowers the motivational level of the people, especially of the teenagers and students.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
1 Thessononians 5:11 “…encourage one another and build one another up…”
On-screen violence: what the teenagers watch on television and cable affects them. Some wish to practice what they saw on TV, this leads to violence in schools and places the teenagers find themselves. Activities like rape, theft, beating up people, vandalism and the like are rampant among teenagers and youth due to what they saw on TV. Psalms 101:3 “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”
“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8
Abortion is the ending of pregnancy by removing a foetus or embryo before it can survive outside the uterus. Psalms 139:13 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
God has plan for each and everybody, if you conceive a baby due to mistake or sin, do not commit another sin by removing it. Allow God’s will to take its cause. Confess your sins and He will forgive you. Amend your ways and your mistake may turn to a blessing. God loves the sinner but hates the sin.