MCGI Topic Review | The Best Way to Live a Teenage Life (Part 1 of 2)

 Life in the teenage is one of the most sensitive and significant periods in an individual life. It is the period when we start learning about ourselves, what we enjoy and where we are going in our lives. At this age, the world around the youth poses a lot of confusion, pressure as well as temptation. The subject matter, The Best Way to Live a Teenage Life as presented in the MCGI teaching provided me a profound insight on how teenagers ought to live godly and meaningful lives. It reminded me that a life that is founded on the principles of God during my teenage will without any hesitation result in peace, success and achieve the real happiness. The most appropriate way of living a teenage life is to first know God and establish a personal relationship with Him. The Bible states in Book 12 chapter 1 verse 1 of Ecclesiastes, that, Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. This verse fills us with the remembrance that the teenage years should not be spent in waste but spent in earnestness to seek God. Most of the youths do not consider God until they age, and this is not the appropriate way. The younger one begins to walk with God as a teenager, the better the foundation of the life will be. I have also known that the earlier we leave our decisions to be guided by God, the more errors we will end up avoiding that will affect our future. The other important issue that was taught was the issue of discipline and obedience. Adolescents desire to be free, yet when they lack discipline, they may destroy themselves by being free. Proverbs 22:6 mentions the Bible, which states that; Train up a child in the way he is to go: and when he is old, he will not leave that way. Discipline does not imply punishment; it is a process of conditioning the mind and heart to always do the right thing even when nobody is observing. In my case, I have learnt to be submissive to my parents, teachers and seniors, resulting in me not getting in trouble and becoming a more responsible individual. Wisdom is indicated by obedience, which is a sign of respecting the order of things in the world of God. Good friends were another theme of the teaching. The type of friends that a teenager associates with will either boost them or ruin them. According to the Bible, it was very clear that in 1 Corinthians verse 15:33, it is stated that evil communications corrupt good manners. This implies that a good personality can be corrupted by bad companionship. Most teens end up in drugs, immorality and rebellion as a way of trying to impress their peers. However, the most appropriate means is by picking friends who have the same godly values and who would help in making you do what is right. As an individual, I have been taught the lesson of being choosy in friendships. I do not like to work with a group of people that makes me forget about God. The other thing that is important is to evade worldly temptations. The adolescence stage is very full of wants and wonder. Modern trends and social media, as well as internet, have normalized sin. But the Bible in Romans 12:2 cautions us, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. This implies that we are not to imitate ungodly lifestyles of the world but we are supposed to lead a different life as children of God. I understand that holiness does not mean putting on a regal garb and walking in a weird manner but it means living with a pure mind and deed. Humility during dressing, telling the truth and eschewing sinful entertainment are some of the ways of demonstrating that we are a part of God. The lesson also taught the teens to have ambitions and labor. Our youth does not imply that we should not waste time. God desires that we should apply our strength and innovativeness to positive things. Proverbs 6:6-8 teaches that we need to be like the ant who labors and that gets ready. Indolence is hazardous since it slays possibilities. In my opinion, as a teenager, one of the best sources of spending the energy of youth is in building healthy study habits, acquiring new skills, and being of service to others. It is a joy and a fulfillment to work hard and under the guidance of God. Above all, the MCGI teaching focused on the fact that teenagers should appreciate purity and the integrity of morals. In the bible, 1 Timothy 4:12 says, do not despise thy youth, be though an example of the believers, as a word, as a conversation, as charity, as a spirit, as a faith, as a purity. This verse sums up all the information regarding the most appropriate way to live as a teenager. Our age should not be the excuse to sin or become careless. Rather, we must be role models to others- through love, honesty and belief in everything we do. Conclusively, the best teenage life is not about following the worldly trends or pleasing people but living in the fear of God, having good companions, being disciplined and concentrating on spiritual and personal enhancement. When I was a teenager, I think that there is no better decision people can make than to make God the core of their lives. Adolescence is a blessing and a period to sow the seeds that would define the remaining days of our lives. As long as we accept and use the Word of God and trust in these principles, we will not waste our teenage years but be making a good foundation towards the successful and religious career.