What do girls need?
While up here at Hume Lake this week I’ve been giving some thought to my ministry to our high school girls. I have the privilege of heading up some structured things for them and I enjoy encouraging them and challenging them to walk closer with the Lord. The Lord has put on my heart a desire to help young women grow in their faith as they mature in their walk with Christ. I am not alone in this desire. There are dozens upon dozens of speakers and books available for young women today, all designed to “help” them. Though I’m not sure that is what they are really doing.
They often seem so focused on being trendy or relevant that they lose any spiritual depth as they end up being simply a pat on the back instead of a way to inspire them to be more like Christ. I remember a few years back when one of my small group girls showed me a new magazine. It took me a minute to realize what it actually was—the New Testament in magazine form complete with dating pointers, beauty tips, and sections about what guys think about girls and personality quizzes. The publishers thought this magazine-Bible would be more user-friendly because then a teenage girl wouldn’t be embarrassed to read her Bible at school or Starbucks, or even show it to a friend. I feel that this is completely missing the point of ministry to young Christian women today. We should be encouraging them with 1 Timothy 1:7 that says,
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
Instead of helping teen girls walk more boldly we tell them its okay to adapt their faith to a form that is more comfortable.
I was in the camp’s Christian bookstore today looking for a book I could read with some of my new high school girls. I found one that said:
Deep down every girl wants to be admired,
respected and honored, and that’s what God wants too.
He knows that when a girl holds her head high
And walks with dignity, she is much happier
and more confident as a person.
As I read through these books or magazines I almost wouldn’t know they were “Christian.” They closely resemble a Seventeen magazine featuring a “5 tips to help you be a happier girl” section. That may seem harsh, but this is the reality of most youth ministry to Christian girls today. I really wish that it mattered more to people that Christian girls be taught the truth of the value, not of themselves, but of their relationship with God. I wish more youth pastor’s wives or women leaders would do Bible studies instead of book studies. We need to teach our girls to be spiritually disciplined, servants, using their gifts, and walking with God.
Today’s young Christian girl doesn’t need to esteem herself more, be convinced of her inner mystery, claim her beauty or demand respect. What do Christian girls need? Christian girls need to be transformed into the likeness of their Savior.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Romans 12:2
To be continued…
August 25th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
I saw those bibles that look like magazines. I don’t understand the appeal. As a married woman, I think the best lesson our girls can learn is submission to our Heavenly Father, as a precursor to submission to our husbands.
It is hard enough to prevent self-centredness in our young girls; no need having Christian sources promoting it.
August 26th, 2006 at 10:12 am
I am thankful that the Lord has given you a ministry to high school girls, so that you can point them to the Lord and the truth of His Word. When I managed the book cart at our old church people would ask me to recommend a book for young women, and it was sad to have nothing to recommend (nothing written specifically for that age group). Praise God that His Word applies to every age group!
August 26th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Matt despises that magazine Bible, and I deem it absurd. Your words are nothing but truth, Christa. When I was in high school, my mentor went through a book called “The True Woman” with me…and it wasn’t sugar coated — my mentor OR the book. It was a huge turning point in my walk with Christ just before I went off to college. And then there was…Home Ec…in all of its convicting, rebuking, sharpening, soul-purging glory.
August 26th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
You say it, Girl! Can’t wait to read what comes next!
August 26th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
I Couldn’t agree more. I get sick of that whole self-centered “How to be beautiful, the Christian way” genre. We definitely don’t need to spend any more time thinking about ourselves than we naturally do. The purpose of life is self-actualization, it is knowing and glorifying God. Thanks for all your insight. I love you, Chris.
August 26th, 2006 at 4:39 pm
The previous comment should have read “the purpose of life is NOT self-actualization….”
August 29th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Christa-
that verse you ended with is perfect! Everything we do should be obviously different from how the world does things. I can’t wait to read the next one.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:06 pm
wow i agree. i have never personally seen one of these bible mags but one thing you said hit me, that “he publishers thought this magazine-Bible would be more user-friendly because then a teenage girl wouldn’t be embarrassed to read her Bible at school or Starbucks, or even show it to a friend. “ wow that’s totally wrong, if we are embarrassed to do those things then we should think about it and really reevaluate things because we should never be embarrassed of God or his word. and i agree with a lot of the comments that the whole “how to be more confident and beautiful” isn’t really what God wanted, yes he wanted us to be strong respectful and all that but we should spent more time focusing on God and then we will be beautiful, if that makes any sense. nice entry. anygood christian girls books you could recommend?
January 27th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Christa,
I will be having my first workshop saturday for teen girls and I agree there are not books that really speak to what I believe God wants me to pour into these young ladies other than A Young Woman after God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George. Teens in general are definately centered on self and what they want and desire. We need to go back to the basics of the bible just like we were taught and give them the real deal. We need to stop sugar coating the Word of God to fit the time we live in because we are causing the youth to live a watered down life. The standard is the Word and it should be the basis of our teaching. God Bless!
December 16th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Pretty impressive article. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your opinions. Any way I’ll be coming back and I hope you post again soon.