What if the eye roll, the slam door, the friendship drama is not proof that nothing is happening, but proof that God is forming something deeper than you can see. Stay with me to the end of this episode because I want you to leave knowing how to see your middle schoolers grow through heaven's lens, and I will give you a simple prayer you can.
Begin praying over them tonight. Welcome to the Faith Mom Mentor, the podcast for moms who want more than surface level faith for themselves and their kids. I'm Anne, and if you're a mom who feels unsure where to start spiritually. Worries. You're not teaching your kids enough. And once a calmer, more confident faith at home, you are in the right place here.
We cut through the noise and get grounded in truth. Each episode helps you know God deeply, teach your tween faithfully and build a home that feels strong. Steady and Christ centered even in the middle school years. If you are ready to stop guessing, start leading with confidence and grow a faith, your family can actually live out.
You are in the right place. Welcome to the Faith Mom Mentor. Last time we talked about the confusing space between identity and behavior. Your child loves Jesus, and yet the attitude still feels sharp. If you have not listened to episode 14, I want you to go back and sit with it. In that conversation, we walked carefully through the truth that when your child places their faith in Christ, they are made spiritually alive by grace.
They are not trying to become new. They have. Been made new, but new does not mean finished, and that is where we are today. A new creation identity is not a trophy placed on a shelf. It's a seed planted in soil, and seeds grow slowly, sometimes underground, sometimes unseen. Always intentionally. Once identity is grounded, formation begins and formation is holy work.
First, a new creation identity is shaped through faithful progress, not perfection progress. Philippians tells us that he who began a good work will carry it to completion. God begins, God continues. God completes Your middle schooler is not pretending to be godly. They are becoming who Christ has declared them to be.
Becoming requires repetition, becoming, requires practice becoming, requires correction. Becoming requires Grace. Roman says, we walk in newness of life, walk. Not leap, not sprint, but walk every time your child apologizes after speaking harshly that is formation. Every time they wrestle with conviction. That is formation every time they choose differently than last time.
That is formation. And when they fail, that too becomes formation when grace meets it. Second, identity is reinforced by righteous influence. Proverbs says that whoever walks with the wise becomes wise friendships. Are not decorative. They are directional. Your middle schooler is learning who they are and they are learning it partly by who they walk beside a new creation.
Identity changes how we see friendship. Instead of asking, do they like me, they begin asking, do they lead me toward Christ? Instead of chasing belonging, they begin pursuing wisdom. You are not just helping your child. Choose friends. You are helping them discern influence and discernment grows slowly.
Patiently through conversation, through modeling, through prayer. In episode 14, we talked about separating behavior from identity. That truth is essential here because if you panic at every wrong friendship choice, you will miss the deeper work God is doing identity steadies you. Identity steadies them.
Third, a new creation identity is aimed at God's glory. Middle school culture screams for attention, performance approval, but scripture whispers something stronger. You were created for him, not for applause, not for comparison for God. When identity is secure, purpose becomes clear. Your child begins to ask questions, does this honor Christ?
Does this reflect who I belong to? You may not hear these questions out loud, but they are forming inside slowly. Quietly. This is why your calm presence matters. Your steady words matter. Your refusal to shame matters if you are needing support as you walk through this season. If you want tools to help you know God deeply and faithfully, teach your middle schooler to know the Prince of peace for themselves.
Visit Life and Peace Ministries. Dot com. You do not have to navigate this formation alone. And finally. A new creation. Identity is empowered by grace, not pressure, not by fear, not by performance. Grace trains us. Grace teaches us to say, no grace reshapes desires. Grace conforms us to Christ. This means you do not manufacture holiness in your child.
You cooperate with God's forming work. You correct gently. You speak truth steadily. You pray consistently because the artist is still at work. Now, let me give you something to pray. You can pray this quietly over your middle schooler tonight, and this prayer will be in the show notes. Father, thank you that my child belongs to you.
Thank you that you have made them new. Through Christ form their heart through faithful progress. Surround them with wise influence, aim their life toward your glory, and by your grace, shape them into the image of Jesus. Give me patience to trust your process. Amen. Even when growth feels invisible, it is happening.
Even when progress feels slow, it is real. Even when middle school feels chaotic, God is not rushed. Here is the truth. To carry with you a new creation. Identity does not eliminate the struggle. It transforms the direction. Before you go, remember this, you are doing sacred work as you nurture faith in your home, and it matters more than you realize.
Thank you for choosing to spend this time growing stronger and steadier in truth. If today helped you take one more step. Forward Head to Life and peace ministries.com for simple faith field resources designed to support you as you know God deeply and teach your tween faithfully, including faith, mom t-shirts, and ways to connect for speaking and faith mentoring.
You can also help another mom by following the show, leaving a quick review or sharing this episode with somebody who needs encouragement right now. Until next time. Keep leading with faith. Your faithfulness is shaping a legacy.
