Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Debelak
This is fine - it engages them where they are at and about things that concern them. But I differ with you on the "advice" point. I don't know how "practical" it should be.
The questions and decisions they face are extremely complicated and nuanced. There aren't "practical answers." What major? More study or sports? Should I hang out with my non-believer friends or only my Christian ones? My friend just told me he was gay - should I "teach him" or do something else? From the perspective of a young believer (you established that at this point they are saved and understand the basic foundation of the faith), what sould the focus of our encouragement be?
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I agree it is complicated and nuanced and we should help them how to think not what to think. But by way of example here is what I mean by practical: my son was in a HS youth group that taught the kids they shouldn't masturbate because it was a sin. Later my son mentioned this to me and asked: if I shouldn't have premarital sex
and I can't masturbate what am I suppose to do about my raging hormones? My answer: masturbate. And in further discussion at a later date I said: although I don't condone it and you should do everything you can to avoid it before marriage if you still find yourself in a moment of weakness with a girl make sure you use a condom to protect her health and your health and to avoid pregnancy. I don't know if that was the "Christian" response but that was my response and in retrospect I'm glad I gave it to him.