What type of decision will your teenager make when no one is looking?

There is a story about a 17 year old boy named Daniel. Daniel was a teenager when the Babylonians stormed Jerusalem and carried him off into captivity and servitude. He was taken from his friends, home, and family and thrown into the equivalent of the Las Vegas night life. He was a made a servant in the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, with its wild life, glamour, excess, gourmet foods and wine. He was thrown into an educational program for 3 years to be indoctrinated in the customs, language, science, idolatrous religion, magic, and astrology of the Babylonians.

No one was looking. No one was telling. No one was making him do what was right. He could have had anything he wanted. Yet due to being educated in the ways of God at an early age and developing an actual relationship with God, Daniel had the wisdom and virtue to choose what was right. In turned it all down for a life of humble service to his God. In the end Nebuchadnezzar states that Daniel, “in all matters of wisdom and understanding is 10 time better than all the magicians or astrologers of Babylon, of any age (The Holy Bible, Daniel Chapter 1).

What type of decision will your teenager make when no one is looking? Are you taking the time to teach your children God’s Word? One thing I have learn in raising my 5 children. They must be reached with the truth early. By the time they hit ten, their beliefs and character is almost completely set in stone. Your influence as a parent begins to wane very early. Although it appears my will finish well, there have been challenges along the way I wish on no one.