How to Be a Good Orthodox Christian Teen
Despite the multiplication of traditions America has experienced in the last half century with the rise of non-denominational and evangelical Christianity, most Christians in this country admit to a shared belief in the tenants of the Apostles' Creed. G.K. Chesterton, in his book of the same name, defines Christian orthodoxy as an acceptance of this creed. Young Americans hoping to embrace orthodoxy should remind themselves of the creed, the Ten Commandments, and other foundational documents of their faith.
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Instructions
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Maintain an active life of prayer, remembering that you cannot be a good Christian without keeping close to the Lord.
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Attend mass or Sunday worship services regularly, something that, while ultimately rewarding, may be difficult amid the often competing pressures of school, friends, extracurricular activities, and part-time work.
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Keep the Lord's Commandments, including the Sixth, which encompasses His call to chastity. Young Christians often find themselves asked to participate in activities that, while acceptable to many in today's secular culture, are unacceptable by Christian standards.
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Serve as a witness to Christ among friends who do not believe, even when doing so makes you feel awkward or uncool. Do not be ashamed to discuss your faith openly with others.
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Make time for reading sacred scripture. This is important even if you are part of a Christian tradition, such as Roman Catholicism, not founded upon the doctrine of sola scriptura, the idea that everything necessary for salvation can be found by individuals reading the Bible.
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Keep a close relationship not only with other Christians your age, but also with older members of your faith community who can serve as spiritual advisors. Visit your priest or pastor regularly for guidance or just for brief chats.
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Tips & Warnings
Be skeptical of those who market products, including books and music, to teens as "Christian." Most great Western literature, art, and music, including the work of Dante, Shakespeare, Michaelangelo , van Gogh, Bach and Mozart, is implicitly but not self-consciously "Christian."
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