Sermon Illustrations

Alcohol and Adolescents

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Dear Ann Landers:

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The following letter has been sent to parents of our young people. Perhaps there is a message here for your readers.

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Dear Parents:

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Summertime means barbecues, pool parties and picnics. I have a request to make.

I’ve heard many excuses for serving alcoholic beverages to minors when they get together for an evening of fun in various homes. Do any of these sound familiar?

“I’d rather have the kids drink here—it’s safer.”

“It’s my kid’s turn to have a party and all his friends have had a keg at their parties—it’s expected.”

“We won’t serve hard liquor—just beer.” 

“All the parents allow it. We don’t want our kids to feel different.” 
“If my kid doesn’t drink at home, he’ll go somewhere else and do it.”
“I’d rather know what’s going on.” 
“High school kids are under a lot of pressure these days. Beer is part of their culture. I want our son to think of us as friends.”

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I’m here to tell you that kids don’t need 50-year-old friends. They need 50-year-old parents who will uphold the law in their homes. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by those under 21 in this state (and many others) is illegal. Kids also need parents who are willing to risk popularity to keep them on the right track. Flatly refuse to serve alcohol to minors under your roof. And remember beer has enough alcohol to get a person dead drunk. If a kid gets drunk under your roof (no matter what he drank) and kills himself (or someone else) driving home, you could be held accountable. —Mark Teresi, Youth Minister, Park Ridge, Ill.

 

Dear Mark:

I hope every parent who reads, this will clip it and tape it to the door of the refrigerator. It may start a four-day family fight—so what? This issue could be a matter of life and death. If you love your kids, you won’t back off to avoid a little unpleasantness.