This checkpoint focuses on a correct understanding of faith. Confusion in this one area is the primary reason so many students abandon Christianity. True faith is confidence that God is who He says He is-and confidence that He will do everything He has promised to do.
Principle: God can be trusted; He will do all He has promised to do.
Critical Question: Are your students trusting God with the critical areas of their lives?
Key Passage: Proverbs 3:5-06
The focus of this checkpoint is your students' devotional life. The apostle Paul says that true spiritual transformation begins with a renewed mind. Only as teenagers begin to renew their minds according to the truths of Scripture will their attitudes and behavior begin to change
Principle: When you see as God sees, you will do as God says.
Critical Question: Are your students developing a consistent devotional and prayer life?
Key Passage: Romans 12:2
One of the most important things you can teach your teenagers to do is to establish clear morals limits. They need to learn how to protect their bodies and emotions by honoring God's plan for sex and morality. That's the focus of this checkpoint. The depth of their intimacy with God and others is dependent upon it.
Principle: Purity paves the way to intimacy.
Critical Question: Are your students establishing and maintaining godly moral boundaries?
Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
The people your students associate with the most will have a direct impact on the decisions they make and the standards they choose. Healthy friendships build them up and draw them closer to God; unhealthy friendships bring them down and cause them to compromise what they know is right. This principle focuses on helping students build healthy friendships while avoiding unhealthy ones.
Principle: Your friends will determine the direction and quality of your life.
Critical Question: Are your students establishing healthy friendships and avoiding unhealthy ones?
Key Passage: Proverbs 13:20
This principle focuses on the necessity of applying godly wisdom to the choices students make. Good decision making is more than simply choosing between right and wrong. Teenagers need to learn to ask, "In light of my past experience and my future dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do in this situation?"
Principle: Walk wisely.
Critical Question: Are your students making wise choices in every area of their lives?
Key Passage: Ephesians 5:15-17
Teenagers often view freedom and authority as opposing concepts. But the Bible teaches that true freedom is found under authority. This principle focuses on students' need to recognize God's ultimate authority and respect the earthly authorities He has placed over them.
Principle: Maximum freedom is found under God's authority.
Critical Question: Are your students submitting to the autorities God has placed over them?
Key Passage: Romans 13:1-2
Selfishness comes naturally to teenagers (not to mention the rest of us!) Selflessness, however, must be learned. The Bible says that Jesus "made himself nothing" in order to serve the people He loved. He put the needs of others ahead of His own. This checkpoint focuses on the true nature of humility and service.
Principle: Consider others before yourself.
Critical Question: Are your students putting the needs of others ahead of their own?
Key Passage: Philippians 2:3-11
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