HOW TEENS WIN | Chapters 3 & 4

It’s amazing how much our “best moments” can impact our lives. As I’ve mentioned, regular lunches and movies with my grandpa growing up still heavily influence who I am today. And speaking of “best memories,” it’s fun that the authors mentioned Universal Studios in Orlando!

 

One of my first years serving as a youth pastor, I learned that the youth group made a yearly pilgrimage to Rock the Universe. It’s a host of Christian rock bands that perform at none other than Universal Studios Orlando. I’d grown up loving theme parks and rollercoasters but had never been to one as epic as UO.

 

One of my best moments was the first time I entered Diagon Alley; it was like stepping into a real-life world of Harry Potter. To this day, being with my students and experiencing all that UO had to offer—fast coasters, 4D rides, JURASSIC PARK!, and The Wizarding World, complete with Butter Beer—I’ll never forget it!

 

Flash forward years and years. Before visiting my family for Christmas and the new year, I booked a flight to Universal Studios. Hollywood, right? NOPE? All the way to Orlando. That’s right. I caught the redeye and landed just in time to drop my bags and hit up the park near opening. I miss having my students with me, but I’m not confident they can keep up with my pace.

 

As you develop a “best memories” list together, I hope you’ll share some of your best moments with your teen. If there is some overlap—maybe you both enjoy a particular beach—it’ll inspire a fun activity or two together.

 

(Oh, for the record, you don’t get to the Wizarding World via Seuss Landing if you pass by the Hulk, as the authors have implied.)

Talk It Over Questions

In your own words, convey that because you love them, you want to help them find meaning, significance, and direction in life. That the world needs men who are respectable, caring, fair, responsible, trustworthy, and good stewards of their resources.

What is your favorite class of all time? And if you can't think of one, what class do you wish your school would offer?

What is it about that class that made it special or memorable? (Or if it's a class you wish was offered, what would make it cool to you?)

What adult has the kind of life you'd want? To better understand this question, re-read in chapter 3, the fourth question.

Let's take a moment to unpack that last answer. What is it specifically that you admire about them? Did they take their love for surfing and turn it into a career? Do they make you feel included, and you want to do the same? Did they struggle through school and still become successful?

Fill in the blank: Every time I see ______________, I smile.

Fill in the blank: When I scroll through the photos on my phone, I always get inspired when I see ______________.

Fill in the blank: I could spend hours talking about  ______________.

Share at least 10 of your best moments in the space below.

Like the sorting hat, sort your best moments into the following houses categories: experiences, wins, relationships, and stuff.

After reviewing your best moments list, which category is most important to you?

Ps, welcome back from break! Hope 2025 is off to a great start for you. However, if you're feeling out-of-sorts because of the fires in California, be sure to reach out to a trusted adult and share with them how you feel.