Is There Such a Thing as a Fun and Wholesome Party for Teens?

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

— Matthew 5:13-16

As a parent of two sons who are now adults, I understand the dilemma that Christian parents are in when it comes to allowing their teenage children to throw parties. I am a strong proponent of offering our children alternatives, always remembering that we are called to be the salt and the light where ever we are.

What does it mean when Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth? Salt has been used for centuries as a preservative for food. As Christians, we are called to be preservatives of men – to show the world what it means to live a godly life. Also, salt enhances the taste of food. We are called to be influencers in the world.

What does it mean when we are called the light of the world? We are to have our lives shine forth as examples of what it is to be believers and followers of Christ. We are not to conform ourselves to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of our minds. Romans 12:2. We are to set the examples!

How do these scripture verses relate to teenagers and parties? In many different ways. As I mentioned in the introductory paragraph, I am a proponent of offering our children alternatives. When it comes to throwing parties, we should encourage our children to do so in godly ways, always being mindful that we are the salt and light of the world. So, instead of discouraging them from parties, consider the impact of a wholesome party on all those in attendance.

Teens can have a great time in a wholesome environment but it takes a lot of planning. Remember that at this age, they are social beings and love to have fun and interact. Of course, food is critical. Have a variety of delicious snacks available. Even consider an ethnic theme. For example, I found Mexican food easy to cook and a hit with teens. Instead of offering alcoholic beverages, have other choices, such as a tasty punch. Teens love to play games, so have your children search the web for fun games to play. They know what games they and their friends would like to play – do not force them to play a game that they do not want to.

Your goal should be to make such an impression on the teens that they will realize that wholesome parties can, indeed, be a lot of fun and want to throw more. Support your teens to be the salt and light of the world!

Websites where you can find great suggestions for games for wholesome parties:

“… I want women to adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and discreetly in proper clothing ….”
1 Timothy 2:9 (AMP)

During this festive holiday season, it is the perfect time to dress up and have fun going to family and friends’ gatherings and parties. In dressing up, please pay attention to modesty. Yes … it is a subject that is often misconstrued but is of importance to Christians. Importantly, it is not meant to shame young women and girls for their God-given bodies or even for appreciating the way they look. Instead, it shows exactly who and what should be most important in our lives and who we represent - Jesus.

The following is taken from an article about modesty and I could not say it any better. It describes very well what modesty for a Christian is all about:

Modesty in the way we dress is not just for church; it is to be the standard for all Christians at all times. The key to understanding what constitutes modesty in dress is to examine the attitudes and intents of the heart. Those whose hearts are inclined toward God will make every effort to dress modestly, decently, and appropriately. Those whose hearts are inclined toward self will dress in a manner designed to draw attention to themselves with little or no regard for the consequences to themselves or others.

A godly woman endeavors to do everything with a “God-ward” perspective. She knows that God wants His people to be concerned for His glory and the spiritual state of their brothers and sisters in Christ. If a woman professes to be a Christian yet she dresses in a way that will unduly draw attention to her body, she is a poor witness of the One who bought her soul by dying for her on the cross. She is forgetting that her body has been redeemed by Christ and is now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). She is telling the world that she determines her own worth on a purely physical basis and that her attractiveness depends on how much of her body she reveals to them. Further, by dressing in an immodest fashion, displaying her body for men to lust after, she causes her brothers in Christ to sin, something condemned by God (Matthew 5:27–29). Proverbs 7:10 mentions a woman “dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent”—here, the woman’s heart condition is displayed by her manner of dress.

The Scripture says that we are to dress modestly, but what exactly does that mean in modern society? Does a woman have to be covered from head to toe? There are cults and religions in the world that demand this of women. But is that the biblical meaning of modesty? Again, we have to go back to the matter of the attitudes of the heart. If a woman’s heart is inclined toward godliness, she will wear clothing that is neither provocative nor revealing in public, clothing that does not reflect negatively upon her personal testimony as a child of God. Everyone else in her circle may be dressing immodestly, but she resists the temptation to go along with the crowd. She avoids clothing designed to draw attention to her body and cause men to lust, for she is wise enough to know that type of attention only cheapens her. The idea of causing men to sin against God because of her dress is abhorrent to her because she seeks to love and honor God and wants others to do the same.

Modesty in dress reveals a modesty and godliness of the heart, attitudes that should be the desire of all women (and men) who live to please and honor God.

https://www.gotquestions.org/dress-modestly.html

Recommended Resource: A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George