One reason parents have problems with some teens is that those teens have a deficiency in their earlier character development. In this session, we examine Luke 2 to see how Jesus, by age 12, had developed seven key qualities necessary for true maturity. This message will motivate and encourage both parents and their children.

The main reason the Prodigal Son was a rebel was because he was rejected by his older brother. Most rebels in the Bible and in history were not 2nd born, but 1st born. When 2nd borns got into trouble, it was usually because they were following their older siblings. It is no quirk of nature that 1st borns are often very strong willed. God wanted that strong will turned in the right direction so that the influence of the parents and the 1st born cause the 2nd born to move in the right direction; then the influence of the parents, 1st born, & 2nd born move the 3rd born in the right direction, etc. There are 10 key principles from III John that older children should apply in relation to younger children that will bring joy to their own hearts as well as sweet harmony to their entire family.