Teens sharing earphones, listening music outdoor. Summer time. This image is taken from SCA’s international report Hygiene Matters 2010. For more info, please visit http://www.hygienematters.com . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
So how on Earth are you supposed to encourage teens to listen to Christian music?
The first step is simply making sure they’re exposed to it. There’s a whole lot of Christian music out there, but the majority of Americans will never know about it because they never go out of their way to find it. Many of these bands are just as good – if not better – than their secular counterparts but they remain hidden under the radar simply because they’re not available on the radio dial. Much of the time, all you have to do is just get the music in the hands of your teens. These bands are good and you can leave it to them to sell themselves.
There will be times though when just getting it to them isn’t enough. Or maybe they enjoy the Christian music but continue to cling to other, less-healthy bands as well. You can’t force your teens to give up the secular music, no more than we can force the Red Sea to part ourselves. But we can still make a difference — and it’s as simple as having a conversation.
Invite your teen to sit down and talk with you. The next step is the most difficult part — listen. Ask your teen to tell you why they’re so attached to the music. Ask them why they don’t like the Christian music. Try your best to understand where they’re coming from first. Otherwise, they aren’t going to care to give you the same courtesy when its your turn.
After you’ve listened, respectfully tell them about your concerns. Be sure to be clear throughout the entire discussion that the choice is theirs and theirs alone, you just want to see them make the best choices they can for themselves. Our teens are smarter than we often give them credit for. If they understand the reasons behind the decision, oftentimes they’ll make the smart choice.
Lastly, be patient with them. Follow Jesus’ example. The disciples had to be taught the same lessons over and over again while Jesus was still with them. They didn’t get anything He had to say all at once, but had to have it gently reinforced on a regular basis. And He’s had to have the same patience with us. It’s our turn to share that patience with our teens.
Most of the time, this isn’t a battle that’s going to be one all at once. But victory is possible if you’re willing to spend the time and walk with your teen through this journey. Take the opportunities as they arise. If a song comes on the radio, talk about it. When you hear them listening to something on their phone or discussing the latest movie video with their friends, discuss it with them. Teach them, little by little, day by day, why these songs concern you. With time, they’ll learn to make those decisions themselves. And they’ll thank you for it.
Most importantly, don’t forget to pray. When we ask God, nothing is impossible. Not even parting the Red Sea.
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