In Part 2 (of 3) of my "High School Survival Guide," I share some thoughts on the power and influence of the culture around us, as well as an embarrassing story from my own adolescence. In addition to the question, "What is wisdom and truth and where do we find them?", I also encourage my students to ask themselves...

I have taught hundreds of seventh and eighth graders over the last 15 years. I love getting to know my students, watching them grow in their knowledge of the Bible, and seeing them spiritually mature over time. As I prepare to send my eighth grade students off to high school at the end of each year, I finish the school year with three questions I want them to carry. I call it a "High School Survival Guide," but you won't find a road map to picking the right classes, earning top academic honors, who to hang out with, what extra-curriculars to join or how to determine your future career. While all those things certainly have value, what I want my students to take with them is something on a deeper level. 

Amidst all of the difficult and heartbreaking things happening in our world today, there is a new, unique beauty emerging. And I believe there’s something we can all gain from it. I wonder if, perhaps, we will all be able to see the big picture a little more clearly in the future.