The Barna Research Group revealed in a recent research titled, "Teen Roles Model: Who They Are, Why The Matter, (January 2011), unearthed a reality that shouldn't surprise us. The initial question probed the teens to identify the person with whom they admire the most, other than their parents. The first question postulated was 'who' which was followed by another equally probing question, 'why.' Regarding the 'who'--the majority cited relations such as grandparents, sister, brother, cousins, aunts, and uncles (37%), followed by teachers and coaches (11%), friends (9%), and pastors/religious leaders (6%). The 'why' indicated the reasons for the answers, or why they named a particular role-model. According to the study, 26% stated that the most common rationale highlighted by the teens included traits such as caring about others, loving, polite, and being fun. Additionally, the 'why' also found that 11% cited encouragement as a vital contributing factor, along with helping them to accomplish their goals (13%), overcome adversity (9%), hard worker (7%), maintain strong faith (6%). (http://www.barna.org/) The interesting revelation from this study is simply a recognition of a known fact: Despite our varied backgrounds, or differences in how we interpret, translate, approach different things in life, the one thing that we can agree on is that at the heart of man, is a yearning for relationships. The study did show that the majority of teens pointed to people they most admire and were likely to emulate, are those whom they were able to maintain contact with, or personal connection. This revelation emphatically sustains the point that are relational beings despite what we may think. And if we cannot perpetuate a desire for relationships, we simply cannot expect to be in the midst of relationship minded folks. And when that materializes, how do we expect to connect with anyone? List to Paul, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, we are have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:7-10) So then, if we sow a sincere and deep desire for relationships, despite everything to the contrary, we reap closer connections, as the study revealed. So, let's perpetuate relationship building, because it may the last thread holding man together from disintegrating in this chaotic world of 'me, me, me' pursuits. Let's sow that which pleases the Lord, it makes for a super fun harvest.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
How 'bout 'em relationships
The Barna Research Group revealed in a recent research titled, "Teen Roles Model: Who They Are, Why The Matter, (January 2011), unearthed a reality that shouldn't surprise us. The initial question probed the teens to identify the person with whom they admire the most, other than their parents. The first question postulated was 'who' which was followed by another equally probing question, 'why.' Regarding the 'who'--the majority cited relations such as grandparents, sister, brother, cousins, aunts, and uncles (37%), followed by teachers and coaches (11%), friends (9%), and pastors/religious leaders (6%). The 'why' indicated the reasons for the answers, or why they named a particular role-model. According to the study, 26% stated that the most common rationale highlighted by the teens included traits such as caring about others, loving, polite, and being fun. Additionally, the 'why' also found that 11% cited encouragement as a vital contributing factor, along with helping them to accomplish their goals (13%), overcome adversity (9%), hard worker (7%), maintain strong faith (6%). (http://www.barna.org/) The interesting revelation from this study is simply a recognition of a known fact: Despite our varied backgrounds, or differences in how we interpret, translate, approach different things in life, the one thing that we can agree on is that at the heart of man, is a yearning for relationships. The study did show that the majority of teens pointed to people they most admire and were likely to emulate, are those whom they were able to maintain contact with, or personal connection. This revelation emphatically sustains the point that are relational beings despite what we may think. And if we cannot perpetuate a desire for relationships, we simply cannot expect to be in the midst of relationship minded folks. And when that materializes, how do we expect to connect with anyone? List to Paul, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, we are have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:7-10) So then, if we sow a sincere and deep desire for relationships, despite everything to the contrary, we reap closer connections, as the study revealed. So, let's perpetuate relationship building, because it may the last thread holding man together from disintegrating in this chaotic world of 'me, me, me' pursuits. Let's sow that which pleases the Lord, it makes for a super fun harvest.
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