Adolescence is the period of life through which we pass as youth and young adults. The period is associated with rapid physical, psychological, and social changes.

The Three Stages of Adolescence

1. Early adolescence (earliteens from ages 12 to 15).
2. Middle adolescence (the high school years, ages 15 to 18).
3. Late adolescence (young adults, from around 18 to 22).

There are two primary and dramatic developments, which take place during this period of life. The first is the physical-sexual maturing which changes our appearance and the way our bodies work. Girls usually experience these types of changes about two years earlier than boys.

Four Physical Changes During Adolescence

1. A spurt in physical growth.
2. The maturation of the reproductive organs.
3. Changes in the endocrine system.
4. The development of secondary sex characteristics.

The second development is cognitive - the change in the way we think, which affects the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Five Life Tasks of Adolescence

1. Consolidating individuality -becoming who we are.
2. Becoming independent from our parents - including moving from subscribing to our parents’ faith to owning our own faith.
3. Establishing and maintaining peer relationships.
4. Developing a sexual identity. 
5. Preparing for a lifework.

In the book, The Complete Book of Youth Ministry (Moody Press, 1987), Byron Klaus identifies the most difficult problems occurring during adolescence with which youth ministry leaders need to be prepared to deal.

The Seven Most Difficult Adolescent Problem Areas

1. Substance abuse (See: At-risk behaviors) 
2. Premarital sex (See: Sexuality issues) 
3. Abortion (See: Sexuality issues)
4. Crime (See: Violence) 
5. Child abuse
6. Suicide
7. Eating disorders

Strategies for Working With Adolescents

1.  One-on-One.  Remember that the most effective ministry takes place on a one-on-one basis. Adolescents will not remember everything you teach them in a Sabbath school lesson study, and they won’t always respond exactly as you’d like them to, but the will relate to you. Your relationship with them is what determines your lasting influence.
2. Acceptance.  Adolescents can read our hearts. We must learn love them for who they are – treasured children of God – and not for what we can turn them into.
3. Challenge.  Encourage your youth to ask questions. Help them to explore their faith in a positive way, in a supportive environment, even when you don’t know all the answers and you have to join in search. (See: Faith Development and Faith Maturity.)
4. Involvement.  Provide as many ways as possible for your youth to be involved in your youth ministry, in the planning and preparation for programs, in service projects, in worship. (See: Climate Issues.)
5. Serve their Parents.  In many cases (for example, see: Family Worship) the best thing we can do for our youth is to be a service to their parents. Help them understand what their adolescent children are experiencing and show them the best way to deal with pressing adolescent issues. (Also see: Parents.)

Also see: Attachment; Codependency; Confidentiality; Teens

From: ABZ's of Adventist Youth Ministry
© 2000 John Hancock Center for Youth&Family Ministry
Permission to copy for use in the local congregation or group.