In continuing from the book, Age of Opportunity, I thought I would add some great helpful qualities listed in the book to observe in your children...mainly to see if they are equipped for the battle. I was very encouraged and challenged by this list. It does help me to see where I need to help my children more. It, also, shows me areas where I need to change,too.

What will a teenage child look like who understands and participates in the spiritual battle?

1) He/she will have a heartfelt, internalized fear of God. The fear of God is the beginning of a truly wise life.(Prov 1:7) A person who fears the Lord will have a single motivation in his life--to please the Lord. He does what he does out of a deep worshipful love and reverence for God...not out of fear of punishment.

2) He/she will have submission to authority. Isn't it sad when people say things like, Teens will be expected to rebel? Some say it is just part of growing up. Teens should not be thought of as ones who will automatically rebel...they can live to glorify God,too! Submitting to the authority God places in their lives is one way to do that. We want our teens to say,"Authority--I need it, want it,I am thankful God has put it in my life."

3) The teen who is committed to fight the spiritual battle will be separate from the wicked. The teen who fears God will want to be with other teens who fear God. He or she will feel strangely out of place with kids who have no interest in the things that God says are most important.

4) He/she will be able to think through their faith and apply it to situations of life. He needs to be more than a person who has acquired biblical knowledge; he needs to be a person who is able to approach life with biblical wisdom. We must disciple our children to think biblically, to interpret all the facts from a biblical perspective. The goal is that this will enable them to recognize what is wise to think and do in every situation.

And if that is not enough....

5) The final quality is that they are biblically self aware. What does this mean? It simply means that the teen will live with an accurate, practical knowledge of personal themes of weakness, temptation, and sin. The spiritually aware teens knows where he is susceptible to temptation, and that knowledge helps him to take protective measures against it.

Whoa--that is a lot. I read through that and feel so grateful that the Lord is teaching us to continue to pursue these things with our children. What helpful concepts to spur us on to doing what is spiritually best for our children. That is the most important thing...to lovingly guide our children to see their need for Christ and how to live for Him. I think as the parent, this book has been more about what I need to change...it is humbling to see what mistakes we have made, but we realize how gracious and kind our Lord is to be teaching us now.