Main Article: They Will Look Like You
Hot Quote: Bradley Zicherman, MD
From the News: The Power of an Involved Father
Trends: Kratom
Latest Research: Prevalence of AI
Quick Stats
Top Ten: Parents’ Top Fears of Letting Their Kids Use Technology
Helpful Insight: No Perfect Family
From the Word
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“How can I best serve God by taking on this high-calling as I pass on the faith to my kids?”
Even though my dad’s been gone for almost six years, I spotted him the other day when I was walking into the hardware store. It’s happened many times before, so it really didn’t take me by surprise. This time, I approached the automatic entry door and while waiting that split-second for the door to slide open, I saw him in my reflection. Like so many of us, I’m looking a lot these days like one of my parents. Echoes of his life, commitments, beliefs, and example resonate in and through every area of my life as evidence of the fact that I’ve followed his lead.
It’s no mistake that our kids grow up to look, act, think, and be like us in so many ways. While the similarities in appearance are inherited through the genes, our attitudes, values, and behaviors are passed from generation to generation by example. God designed it this way. This is especially true when it comes to faith development and spiritual health. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses shares God’s plan for who was to teach God’s truths to succeeding generations and how they were to be taught: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
God’s “how” for imparting Truth to our children is by a diligent commitment to teach and model wholehearted and single-minded devotion to God 24 hours a day. When God’s truths become the central overriding interest and purpose in our lives, teaching them to our children will happen almost subconsciously. They will learn that salvation comes by the grace of God through Jesus Christ alone, and they will learn what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ in every endeavor of their lives.
Ask yourself: Am I purposefully offering an example of what it means to follow Jesus through my words and conduct? And, how can I best serve God by taking on this high-calling as I pass on the faith to my kids?
I’ve found some help in the life and ministry of the Old Testament priest and scribe, Ezra, who was called by God to teach His people what it meant to live to the glory of God as faithful followers of God as they returned to Jerusalem from their exile in Babylon. It is clear from Ezra 7:10 that Ezra’s teaching was rooted not so much in what Ezra knew, but in who Ezra was: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statues and rules in Israel.” There are some great reminders here for us. . .
First, be a student of God’s Word. Take time to soak up God’s Word daily. Carve out time each and every day to sit quietly to read and study God’s Word, digging deep to understand the meaning and application of what you are reading.
Second, do it. We are called to be obedient doers of God’s Word. In James 1:22 we read that we are to be people who are “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Doers act, and we are promised to be blessed in our doing (James 1:25). It follows that our kids will be blessed by our doing as well!
Third, teach God’s Word. Set your heart to go beyond just studying and doing, to teaching your children. Look for opportunities to speak about what you are learning in God’s Word.
Parents, may your children’s futures be filled with joy and gratitude every time they catch a glimpse of you in their reflection. Set your hearts on studying God’s Word, doing God’s Word, and teaching His Word to your children.
“If a teenager’s primary communication with their peers is through a gaming headset or chat, it’s problematic and a difficult habit to break. It’s always going to be more convenient to put on a headset compared to making plans to see friends in person, but it’s not healthy; it’s a form of isolation.”
Bradley Zicherman, MD
Bradley Zicherman, MD, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine, speaking about video game addiction among teens, med.stanford.edu, December 2, 2025
THE POWER OF AN INVOLVED FATHER
If you have watched the compelling Netflix series, Adolescence, you are familiar with Stephen Graham.
He not only was the show’s writer, but he played the part of Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old murderer, Jamie Miller. In the show, Eddie was blindsided by his son’s actions. There’s no doubt that the show offers a strong message to today’s parents, that we need to be active and involved in the lives of our kids. Graham is now following up the series with a new book that offers a collection of letters written by fathers to their sons. His goal is to convince dads to close the gap in their relationships with their boys so that they can talk openly about what it means to be a man. We applaud this project and look forward to seeing it when it’s done. In the meantime, those of us who are Christian fathers need to take stock of our relationships with our children. The years of childhood and adolescence fly by. Don’t miss the opportunity to be with your kids, nurturing them in the Christian faith.
TRENDS:
Kratom
We want to warn you about a dangerous substance abuse trend which centers around an increasingly popular herbal drug which is available online and in stores, including gas stations and vape shops. Known as Kratom, the drug comes from the tree of the same name that is native to Southeast Asia. Users chew the tree’s leaves, brew the leaves, or create a liquid extract. Users who ingest Kratom in low doses report that the effects are like those of a stimulant which increases alertness and energy. When used at higher doses, it works as a sedative to calm one’s nerves and anxiety, and to reduce pain. The drug takes effect in minutes with the effects lasting a few hours. The physical side effects are many, and there are also side effects on one’s brain and nervous system, including hallucinations, and in some cases, death. Our kids are at risk, and we must warn them about the dangerous effects of this and all other drugs. Protect your kids by learning more about Kratom.
LATEST RESEARCH:
Prevalence of AI
Artificial Intelligence is seemingly everywhere and many people are having a bit of fun with its’ growing capabilities. It’s been used to create songs, manufacture photos, and even create video content. It’s not surprising that today’s teens know a lot more about AI and how to leverage it than some of us parents will ever know. But how should we view the use of artificial intelligence by our teens? The Future Report Study found that in Europe, 40% of teenagers us AI daily or almost daily. Many of their schools allow the use of an AI tool. In school, teens say they use AI to explain hard topics, get instant answers or feedback, make learning more fun, and to strengthen their ideas and problem solving skills. Outside of school, they are using AI to write and edit, to produce visual art, to create videos, and to design and build projects. We must remember that AI is not a neutral or benign tool. It will reshape its’ users over time. We have to wonder if our kids will lose their creative thinking skills and ability to discern. Keep an eye on this parents. And, be sure to set limits on where your kids can go online.
Among parents of children ages 12 and under, 90% say their kids interact with the TV screen, almost 70% have kids who interact with a tablet, and 61% interact and use a smartphone. 40% use a laptop and 8% are even engaging with an AI chatbot.
(Pew Research Center)
3 in 10 school-aged children reported spending so much time on video games that they would classify as binge-gamers. Binge-gaming is defined as spending at least 5 hours in a row playing video or computer games. Specifically, 4 in 10 boys reported spending this much time playing video games, while the same was true of 25% of girls.
(Public Library of Science)
Parents’ Top Fears of Letting their Kids Use Technology
According to a survey of 2,000 parents of
kindergarten through fifth graders
Source:
Talker Research on behalf of AngelQ
1. Losing Precious Moments with their Children
2. Replacing Important Elements of Childhood Development
3. Predator Exposure
4. Accidental Inappropriate Content
5. Screen Addiction
6. Cyberbullying
7. Kids Losing their Childhood to Technology Completely
8. Age-Inappropriate Content
9. Social Media Influence
10. Mental Health Damage
NO PERFECT FAMILY
by WALT MUELLER
From the time that our first parents chose to follow their own desires rather than God’s guidelines in Genesis 3, our world and everything in it has been marred by sin. Consequently, our families are populated by broken people living with broken people. Because of this, our marriages are at times very difficult. And, parenting is difficult as well. We are broken parents raising broken kids.
Yes, there are times and seasons of great joy, but there will be bumps in the road. We make a huge mistake if we expect to have a perfect family with perfect kids. We may even base our contentment in life on having a perfect family. If that’s the case, we are only setting ourselves up for disappointment. One reason for this is that we have set a perfect family up as an idol. And like all other idols, the idol of family can never and will never deliver what we hope it will.
Parents, just like you and me, our kids are broken and in need of redemption. Look for your source of happiness in Jesus Christ.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16
The words of the apostle Paul to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:16), a young man who needed encouragement, apply not only to Timothy’s life and ministry but to us today as we fulfill our God-given ministry in parenting. We must depend and rely on God’s Word as we parent our children and teens. In this verse Paul lists four valuable uses for God’s Word.
First, the Bible offers sound instruction. It is a believable teacher and the only true source of knowledge. Like the instruction manual for a complicated machine or appliance, God’s Word helps us understand the complexities of life.
Second, a growing knowledge of the Bible helps us to evaluate and test everything else that claims to be true. All other parenting philosophies, advice, manuals, and approaches should be measured against the blueprint of the Bible.
Third, the Bible serves as a diagnostic checkup and troubleshooting guide. As we look at our own lives and approaches to parenting, the Bible helps us to see where we have gone wrong while offering clear guidelines on how to correct our course.
And fourth, the Bible is a roadmap that helps us stay on course in all of our tasks and activities. It lays out a clear path for right and godly living. As parents we need disciplined and regular study of God’s Word.
You were made for a relationship with God. Your primary responsibility as a parent is to point your teen to Christ. Take the time – every day! – to get to know God, His will, and His way in His Word.
Youth Culture Matters is a long-format podcast from CPYU hosted by Walt Mueller.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT EPISODE 212:
“Teens as God’s Image Bearers” with Mike McGarry
A 365-Day Plan to Read and Pray through the Entire New Testament
Designed to help readers immerse themselves in the New Testament, this daily devotional explores Matthew through Revelation in one year. Each day includes a reading from the first half of the New Testament (Matthew through Acts), a reading from the second half (Romans through Revelation), brief reflections adapted from the Gospel Transformation Study Bible, and a prayer prompt. Every day’s reading also ends with one or two related verses from the Psalms. Insightful and accessible, the ESV Daily Devotional New Testament provides insights into the biblical text and encouragement for godly living.
- 365-Day Devotional: Includes designated Scripture readings for January 1 through December 31
- Interactive: Each day features passages from the New Testament and Psalms, along with insightful reflections and thoughts for prayer
- Makes a Thoughtful Gift: Includes the plan of salvation to help share the gospel
- Foreword by Alistair Begg
© 2025 All rights reserved. The CPYU Parent Page is published monthly by the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, a nonprofit organization committed to building strong families by serving to bridge the cultural-generational gap between parents and teenagers.