Stereotype

ster•e•o•type
1. A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
2. One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.
3. Printing A metal printing plate cast from a matrix molded from a raised printing surface, such as type.



Picture a teenage girl in your head..... Go ahead, take a minute.

Now there are many things that you could have thought of. But the Basic Stereotype:
1. Favorite color is pink.
2. It’s all about the boys.
3. Always has pink, sticker covered cell phone at the ready.
4. Mini skirts/leggings.
5. Car consists of a bright lime green Volkswagen Beetle.
6. Can't go out the door without makeup. Ever. Its practically a sin.

Okay, that was fun, but not the point! In today's day and age, Teenagers, especially teenage GIRLS (See 'Captivating' by John and Stasi Eldredge) are going through a battle. Every day. Now I don't put the term "battle" lightly. Quite the contrary... The battle they/we are going through is not of this world......

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 NKJ

Okay. That’s all fine and dandy, but what does the NEXT part say?

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, have done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13 NKJ

And so... it goes... Into great detail on exactly what your armor consists of. Now when you knowingly are going into a war, battling with things beyond what you can handle yourself. What do you do? You prepare, call in reinforcements, whatever is necessary for you to defeat the enemy.

Example: Cottonwood Cantata 2008. Though I had the solo that year, the girls in the CCFC were doing a song together. The four weeks before the performance were rough on Hannah; she would get physically ill before even just the practices! Hannah has a beautiful voice and had no reason whatsoever to be so nervous. But our mom picked up on this, and told her that Satan was literally attacking her-- Not wanting her to display her talent praising the Lord. Mom talked with her-- and rebuked those demons! And the rest is history...

So as I pointed out above, there IS battle teenagers ARE going through, whether they like it or not…and sometimes they might not even be aware of it. And it is your/our job to prepare them. And how can you do that? Help them put on the WHOLE armor of God!

You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:6 (The message)

The future literally lies in our hands. Are we going to rise up to be the soldiers God made us to be?



In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Ephesians 6:18