How to Help Your Teen Discover God’s Purpose for their Lives

Audio By Carbonatix

As a homeschooling parent, you have a unique opportunity to guide your teenager in one of life’s most essential quests: discovering God’s purpose. It’s a question they may not even realize they’re asking, yet the answer will shape their decisions, passions, and direction. We know our children are one of billions, yet we know they’re unique and here on this earth to do something. But what? The joy of discovering God’s purpose is a journey filled with hope and excitement.

I’m a mom of ten, and when my teens needed help knowing their purpose, I turned to the resource that helped me decades ago: the Bible study Experiencing God. There’s a teen version, too! This study answered my questions, but not in the way I expected. Let me explain how you can use these principles to guide your teen.

New Question: What is God Doing?

First, this Bible study turned my question on its head. I had been looking at myself, my gifts, and my talents. While I saw some strengths, I discovered even more weaknesses. Instead of asking, “What am I supposed to do?” I learned to ask, “What is God doing, and how can I join him?” God is already at work in the world. Our prayer must be, “Open my eyes, Lord, so that I can see your work. Then show me my part in it.”

Of course, we need to model this for our kids first. Do you feel God is working in your life? Start there. Watching you live out your purpose will give teens a real-life example. It makes it easier to discuss their purpose with our teens if we live ours.

Discuss with Your Teen:

What do they see as problems or needs in their world?

Where is God already working?

How can they join Him there? 

 Encourage them to pray for eyes to see God’s work and a heart to join in.

What Does God’s Work Look Like?

Although I’d felt called to be a writer, God opened my eyes to other writers who felt alone and unseen. I started an email prayer circle that we continued for over a decade. We walked the journey together, and even now, I count those women as some of my dearest friends.

God also opened my eyes to the need to serve women facing crisis pregnancies in my community. As a former teen mom, I had compassion for other young women. When my pastor approached me about helping him start a pregnancy care center, I initially didn’t think I had time. Then God reminded me how it felt to be so scared and uncertain about my future.

These two paths seemed very different, but both involved my purpose. And in the unique way God works, these paths merged when my first non-fiction book for teen moms was published. How amazing is that?

Even more impressive was that my homeschooled kids were right there with me. They learned about caring for others in crisis. They traveled with me as an author, understood the “behind the scenes” of writing, and met amazing people. Then, when discovering his purpose, my son Nathan realized he loves writing too. Last year, we wrote a book together, and it is a new release. Breath of Bones is the perfect example of how God intertwined my and Nathan’s purpose with His purpose. Amazing! 

Asking what God is doing opens our eyes to His work around us. Psalm 25:4-5 says, “Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long, I put my hope in you,” NLT.

Remember, Jesus is a Person

Discovering what God is doing around you doesn’t come through a formula or a worksheet. Instead, it comes through a love relationship with God. “Through this relationship, God reveals His will and invites you to join Him where He is at work. When you obey, God accomplishes something only He can do through you. Then you come to know God more intimately by experiencing Him at work through your life,” writes Henry Blackaby. This love relationship with God is a source of inspiration and guidance.

Discuss with Your Teen:

How would they describe their relationship with God?

Have they accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord?

Encourage them to read Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, and 10:13 and talk to you or another trusted adult about their learning. Today may be when they decided to dedicate their life to Jesus.

To Know God, You Must Know His Word

Many books are written about God, yet the Bible is the most important book to read to know God’s Will. I know sometimes the Bible is hard to understand. That’s why my friend Michelle and I started the Daily Bible Podcast. Every day, we read through the Bible and share what we learned and how we can apply it. This is a perfect podcast for parents and teens to listen to together!

Working on this podcast has made me a more diligent student, and I understand God’s Word more clearly. And we’ve heard from many people that it’s helping them understand God’s Word more than ever.

To know God’s direction for our lives, we must follow the directives in His Word. For example, God’s directive to “care for the widows and the orphans” (James 1:27) led us to open our home to my grandmother and adopted children. I give many other examples in my book Walk It Out, but reading God’s Word and doing it has changed everything. Families can be encouraged when they read this book and see how God used a family as ordinary as theirs.

Discuss with Your Teen:

What is their current practice for reading and applying the Bible?

How can you support and model this in your own life?

Choose a book of the Bible to read through together, discussing what you learn and how to apply it.

God’s Purpose, God’s Timing

What is God’s purpose for your teen’s life? Only He knows, but He wants to reveal Himself to them. Encourage them to ask Him to show them His work around them and how they can join Him in it. The purpose they seek is found in knowing Him and doing His work. Remember, discovering God’s purpose requires patience, and His timing is always perfect. This reassurance brings a sense of calm and peace.

Encourage your teen to keep going even if they don’t understand immediately. Trust Him. Wait on Him. He will reveal Himself to them in His timing. Remember, their purpose is found in a relationship with Him. And once they know Him, they’ll know what He has planned for them. For as Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” This hope, this reassurance, is what they’ll experience when they trust in God’s timing.

When your teen feels uncertain, remind your teen to seek God. Know Him. And in knowing Him, they’ll find the purpose for which they were made. And there is no greater joy than knowing God and doing His work. This joy, this contentment, is what they’ll experience when they find their purpose in God.

Does your teen want help knowing God’s Word?

Discover more ways to interact with God’s Word with the Filament-Enabled Bible Collection. Filament-enabled Bibles combine traditional reading with cutting-edge technology for a more profound Bible-study experience. The Filament app connects you to a vast library of resources, including study notes, videos, maps, profiles, devotions, audio Bibles, and worship music – all curated to the page you’re reading.

• Deepen Your Understanding: Enjoy in-depth study notes, articles, and profiles in a typical study Bible.
• Reflect on God’s Word: Connect biblical ideas to your life with devotional articles.
• Interactive Experience: Explore interactive maps, visuals, and relevant videos from The Bible Project.
• Convenient and Easy to Use: Simply scan the page number with your device to access all these resources. (Teens think this is cool!)

Experience the future of Bible study with the Filament Enabled Bible Collection. Explore a more enriching way to engage with God’s Word now.

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Tricia’s warm and engaging teaching style will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to tackle any homeschooling challenge that comes your way. You’ll also receive a workbook with actionable steps and reflection questions to help you apply your learning to your homeschooling journey. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from one of the most respected homeschooling experts in the industry. Enroll in Tricia Goyer’s Homeschool Success video course today and start your journey to homeschooling success!

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