So, I’m very intrigued by the new ABC Family show, Secret Life of the American Teenager. The show is so secret that none of our church teens had even heard of it. So, perhaps teens aren’t the demographic. Perhaps I am. Perhaps it’s adults who want to see inside the life of teens and think that that can happen on tv. And maybe, as we comb through the stereotypes, we catch a glimpse. Again, for an in depth look at this concept you have to read Chap Clark’s HURT.
OK, so diving in…I’ve watched the first four episodes online. It’s a soap opera with Molly Ringwald, true, but it’s also mildly entertaining. Again, I have to emphasize that Secret Life is an exercise in clichès, but clichès are effective teaching tools.
In the Second Episode,” You Are My Everything“, first segment, there is a great scene that walks through the stages of a girl who has experience the betrayal of a “cheating” boyfriend. Should elicit interesting conversation from both girls and guys. Also, the parental interaction in the scene is interesting. Is the mother a parent/friend/both? What is the significance?
Segment two deals with the issues of fidelity and marrying young.
Segment three was my favorite! This segment takes a look at the way we use being “Christian” as an excuse for our behavior, good and bad. The scene is between the cheating boyfriend and Luke Duke. It’s a country song tour de force unwritten. Also, this segment gives the young Ricky and pregnant Amy an opportunity to play with the words, “I Love You.” In youth ministry, I haven’t ever spent much time on when, who, and how the words “I Love You” come into play. Is it a thing of innocence when college freshman try “love” on? What are the implications? Should we even worry about it?
Segment four contains a scene between Ben and the guidance counselor at school. The counselor gives Ricky some colossal epic bad advice, “Whatever someone did before they met you is none of your business.” How does this kind of advice affect teens/adults/families? It’s a great question to look at with teens.
If your teens are like mine, they haven’t watched this show and this will be new, fresh, and relevant because the characters are teens.
BONUS: There is a Serpent in the Garden story arc. “Adam” (aka the Christian boyfriend, Jack) is tempted by another girl, Adrian. Once Jack has tasted the apple, it’s downhill for that boy. The story unfolds over the episodes and is pretty obvious by Ep 4. Throw in sex addict, Ricky, and the party gets started. Once good girl, Grace, fears that she will lose her boyfriend, she too gets her sights set beyond Eden. Have Fun.
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Since we’re not in the Bible Belt I’ll continue the controversial strain from someone who is. I don’t pretend to understand the I.D. argument, because I haven’t followed, nor does what I’ve heard make a whole lot of sense. However, this picture says alot. Thx to 
And finally…seriously?
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Ps 119:105).” This is a really famous line from the Bible. So famous, in fact, that I tend to push it into the backseat…subordinate it to other ‘more serious’ passages. But this past weekend, as I wrote my ordination exams, this verse was tattooed to my thinking lobes. I couldn’t shake its familiar cadence. I couldn’t sing a song and get the line out of my head. It followed me. It hounded and pursued me. 
my name is chris. i am a husband, father, and fuller seminarian living in mesa, az. i currently serve the church of the master while moving towards presbyterian ordination. sometimes i blog, mostly i write papers. 
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