Have your teenagers made mistakes? It’s a dumb question, isn’t it? Of course they have—but have you gotten over it? I was sitting on the couch talking with my daughter, asking her what she thought I should talk about next on Parent Minute, so this is her topic. She says, “Why aren’t parents more forgiving? Why won’t parents allow their kids to rebuild the trust they’ve broken more quickly?” You know, she has a point. The Bible is clear. “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14 ESV). “Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 ESV). “Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV). If we think these verses don’t apply to our kids, we gotta think again.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: Matthew 6:14-15,, Ephesians 4:32,, 1 Thessalonians 5:14