NONREBEL
TEENS

Topics: Apathy; Conformity; Culture; Internet; Leadership; Outreach; Rebellion; Technology; Teens; Thoughts; Witnessing; Worldview

References: 1 Samuel 17; 1 Corinthians 9:23; Philippians 2:14–16; 1 Timothy 4:12; James 5:20

Two teens are combating the myth that teens are rebellious and apathetic. They’re doing that by blogging.

Twin brothers Alex and Brett Harris, seventeen, created therebelution.com to debunk the myth that being a teenager means freedom from responsibility. Alex Harris reasons that if teens think adolescence is the time to have fun, they won’t become responsible as adults. He says, “Low expectations affect you, even if you’re not into drugs, sex, etc., and they continue to affect you until someone intentionally remedies that irresponsibility.”

The twins are volunteering to lead a “rebelution” (a cross between rebellion and revolution) to rise up against social norms. “We are refusing to be defined by an ungodly, rebellious culture,” they say.

Jonathan McCarthy, eighteen, also has a heart for teens, though he specifically targets Christian kids. “The biggest threat that I see facing Christian teens today is a deadness to spiritual things and a conforming to the world in the areas of music, movies, and books,” McCarthy says.

McCarthy’s blog, christianthink.blogspot.com, emphasizes a worldview based on Scripture and the necessity of a changed heart. As he continues to mature, McCarthy hopes to encourage teens to become spiritual leaders through technology. “We need to produce better, deeper media products and preach a gospel of judgment and mercy,” he says.

—Jessica McCaleb, “Blogging Teens,” World (September 16, 2006)