Teens don’t want to see you read your Bible as much as they long to see you enjoy your Bible. What is enjoyed in your life, gets repeated in theirs. It is no secret that the number one influence in the next generation is the last generation.
Confession: I love Neil Diamond. Something deep inside me finds joyful identity in his simple melodies. The reason for this might be traced back to my mother so thoroughly enjoying him on cassette tapes when I was young. At that time I might have shown indignation but years later her joy proved to be contagious. Play “Sweet Caroline” and see Matt get lost in abject joy. It is irrational but by her modeling joy, I had a compass to find my own.
I have this scandalous idea that Christ wants us to enjoy our lives above restricting our lives. The greatest thing you can do for your kids, friends, and church is to enjoy life with Christ at the center. Whether we verbalize it or not, often our faith is associated with guilt. I have to read the Bible because God wants me to. I have to go to church because it’s expected of me. Yet God never uses guilt. Joy might be His engine to changed life. Teach joy to your kids by modeling it yourself. Years later, they will be singing the same tune.
Matt simon blog 