Life’s hectic. Between school, church, friends, family and maybe sports or a part-time job, you might feel as though you hardly have time to breathe, let alone be aware of what’s going on in the world.
But staying informed about your planet is important. It keeps you current on things you need to pray about.
You might even have a chance to do something more, like campaign for a political candidate with godly values, raise money to provide Bibles for those without them in other countries or take a missions trip.
Knowing what’s happening gives you opportunities to share your faith. News of a movie star’s drug addiction could lead to a discussion about why you would never try—much less rely on—something like cocaine.
It also constantly shows you just how much the world needs Jesus. And if that doesn’t motivate you to be concerned about those who don’t have a relationship with Him, what will?
Take this quiz to find out how up to date you are when it comes to the world you live in. Answer “constantly/definitely,” “sometimes/sort of,” or “never/no way” for each question.
1. I read more than the comics in the newspaper.
2. When TV news starts, I pay attention.
3. My family discusses current events.
4. I listen to news updates on the radio.
5. Friends and I have discussed political or moral issues.
6. I click on the highlighted news stories on my Internet provider’s home page.
7. I pray for my country’s leaders by name.
8. I know who represents me in the Senate and the House.
9. I easily recognize the name and photo of my state governor.
10. I’m familiar with the elected officials serving in my state or province.
11. I can name my local government officials.
12. The general financial condition of my local school district (and whether or not it passes tax increases easily) isn’t a mystery to me.
13. I understand the importance of voting and of being educated about the issues and candidates.
14. When my church hosts programs on missions or issues, I attend and learn as much as possible.
15. I am familiar with and/or financially support international missions groups that aid victims of war, poverty or famine.
16. Among my friends and acquaintances are people of different races and incomes, and I have some understanding of the problems each faces.
17. I could name several countries where Christian persecution takes place.
18. When it comes to issues that matter to God, like protecting the unborn and helping the poor, I have strong convictions that I’ve put into action.
Scoring
Give yourself three points for each “constantly,” one point for each “sometimes/sort of” and zero points for each “no way” answer.
54 to 42: Congrats! You seem to stay well-informed about what’s going on in the world. Now make sure you’re using that info. Pray for government officials on all levels from local to federal. Donate a few hours to help out a cause you believe in. Give a cash donation to a group that’s fighting for something that’s right. Or use a current event as a springboard for a chance to tell a friend about Jesus. Don’t let all that knowledge go to waste!
41 to 30: Your head is buried under the sand, but you’ve got some room for improvement. If you’re weak in knowing about the people in government who represent you, ask your parents, youth pastor, your local librarian or search online. Then you can start praying.
Maybe you’ve never paid any attention to what’s going on around you. Start a new habit of regularly taking a dose of the news, whether it’s by TV, newspaper or Internet. Even asking your parents or another trusted Christian adult what he or she thinks about an issue can help.
Sure, your life is busy, but just a small effort can yield big improvements in how informed you are. That, in turn, can affect how much you’re used by Him.
Below 30: Do you live on this planet? It’s time to get involved with the human race! You can’t be sensitive about meeting others’ needs if you don’t know what they are.
Start by asking for God’s help. You can’t expect to be fully knowledgeable about all areas, but with His guidance you can begin to find out more.
Start Now
Find another teen who also doesn’t know as much as she should and make specific plans to get more informed. Set a regular time to talk about your opinions of someone or something in the news. Pray together or individually for the people involved.
Remember, the idea isn’t just to get more informed; it’s to use that info to further the kingdom of God. So whether you’re clueless about current events, Christian involvement in the world or elected officials, you can get better educated and put what you learn to work for Christ. How about starting today?
Stay current on what’s in the news. Check out citizenlink.org and worldmag.com for news from a Christian perspective.
