And then they become teenagers -- young people who are ever more inclined to think independently about many things, including the value of church involvement.

Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Based on my own experience as a youth and what I have often observed in other young people since, I believe that as they mature it is highly beneficial to provide ample opportunities for them to discover how they can contribute in personally meaningful ways, and thereby experience how they can bless and inspire others with their gifts, to God's glory and their own joy.

For Christ "gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (1 Tim. 2:14 ESV).