Sermon Outlines . Volume 08 | Issue 15

How to Be a Teenager Who Wins in Life

(From the series “Family Focus”)

by Michael Catt

Daniel 1:3,4

They are asking themselves five questions:
1) Who am I?
2) What mental attitude will I have?
3) Whose rules will I respect?
4) What kind of lifestyle will I have?
5) What do I really believe?

I. An Example that Encourages Teenagers to Stand for God

II. An Exhortation to Consider While Living in a Postmodern World
Luke 2:52

  • He grew in wisdom (psychologically).
  • He grew in stature (physically).
  • He grew in favor with God (spiritually).
  • He grew in favor with me (socially).

A. To be a winner in life, you need to grow in wisdom.
B. To be a winner in life, you need to grow in stature.
C. To be a winner in life, you need to grow spiritually.
D. To be a winner in life, you need to grow socially.

The danger is, as teenagers, we get excited about all these changes and we want to experiment and we want acceptance.
1) Learn what is acceptable behavior.
2) Life is changing; you’ll survive.
3) Just because you develop physically doesn’t mean you are psychologically ready for sex.
4) Doubt is normal as you grow.
5) There’s a difference between wanting to be independent and being rebellious.

III. An Example that Reminds Us the Time to Serve God Is Now

1) You don’t have to be in a godly home to be a godly kid.
2) Watch your attitude.
3) Don’t follow the crowd.
4) Don’t be lazy spiritually.
5) Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there, doing what you are supposed to be doing.
6) Be pure.
“Sexual promiscuity is promoted as appealing, satisfying and safe. Trust God and God alone for the advancement of your social life. It makes no sense to trust Him for eternal life but not for dating and marriage. An evening can start innocently and with good intentions, but end in shame and despair.” –Jay Strack
7) Have a mentor.
8) Don’t underestimate the importane of making the right choice.
9) Remember that conviction must come before you have to make the choice.
10) Always ask yourself: “If what I’m being asked to do is good for me, why do I feel then need to hide it from my parents, youth minister and/or pastor?