Everyone, young or old, needs encouragement. According to Adler, a counselling therapist, encouragement is the essential factor in all reorientation and corrective efforts with children.

Whether we like it or not, children and teens look to their parents as role models in life. When parents reflect and represent Christ in their everyday living, they are ultimately helping their children to put their trust in God and be passionate for Him.

Our sense of openness and vulnerability towards our children is important especially in the manner in which we pray for the family. As we pray with our teens, we can honestly pray about our own shortcomings and not only focus on theirs. Then our teens know that parents are not perfect but are concerned and serious about living right before God and man.

In one of its articles, Focus on the Family discussed a few ways we can stimulate our teen's faith in God:

- Be a good example. Because this is an age of idealism, your child is sensitive to signs of hypocrisy or inconsistency. Be honest about your failings.

- Don't be disturbed if your child expresses doubts about their personal faith. Spiritual struggles are almost inevitable for young people. If you can't answer a question, find someone who can – a pastor, youth leader, or counselor.

- Encourage your child to join an active Christian youth program. If your church doesn't have one, look for a program in the same denomination or campus or organisation.

- Finally, pray continually for your child. They need the Lord's constant protection. Remember, you may be the only person in the world praying for your child.

*Focus on the Family Malaysia

Of course, there is no denying that whether we are parents or children, we are similarly responsible to God for all our actions. Only the Holy Spirit can help us. Therefore let us allow Him to be our helper and encourager. ct

*This article is from Focus on the Family Malaysia. For further enquiries, kindly contact Focus on the Family (M) Sdn. Bhd. Tel: 03–5882 3343, Fax: 03-5882 3533 Email: focus@family.org.my Web: www.family.org.my