A. Teens have questions even if they do not ask them.

1. Make sure you answer certain basic questions from time to time.

• • How can I know I’m saved?
  • Why don’t my parents let me do certain things? (or love me?)
  • Why can’t I do this or that?
  • What can and should I do on dates?

2. Try to encourage them to ask questions; many times the silent ones have questions too.

B. Their questions may require complex responses. Example:  “I’ve done this or that.  I know it is   wrong, but what can I do now to solve the situation?”

1. Remember some general principles.

• • The average teen will not come to you until he has been caught.
  • He thinks that by avoiding punishment he has solved the situation.
  • He will not want you to tell his parents.

2. Counsel the teen, one step at a time.

• • Show him that the problem is a spiritual one.

a. Is he a Christian?

b. Does he understand repentance, confession, and forgiveness (1 John 1:9)?

3. Show him he needs to have a scriptural attitude toward the problem, that it is not the end of the world.

4. Show him everyone involved, including his parents, must be dealt with fairly and justly. This usually means telling the parents about the matter.

5. Show him God still loves him (Psalm 51:17b).

6. Help determine the steps leading him into sin so that he can make plans to avoid temptation again.

7. Help him see what God wants him to do now.

• • Do not feel guilty after confession and restitution.
  • Have daily devotions.
  • Resist the temptation to do it again.
  • Determine to do right no matter what.
  • Witness to others.
  • Separate from the world (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1-2).
  • Help him see that the Bible should be his final authority in faith and practice.

8. Realize that some of the questions a teen asks are not the real questions for which he wants answers. He is testing to see how you will react to these issues before proceeding to the real ones.

9. Be frank and truthful in your answers.

10. Admit when you do not know the answer; then find it.

11. Remember that if one teen has a question, several others in the group will probably have the same question.

12. Help him look unemotionally at the situation.