Recently my family celebrated spring break with two other families in North Carolina. Of the twelve people in the small beach house—five were middle school and high school girls. One hot topic of the week was the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. My fun friend, who is a freshman in high school, is…well, frankly…obsessed with the characters in the series.
She’s read all the books at least once and received the Twilight DVD the week of our trip. She watched the movie no less than three times while we were at the beach.
What is it about this Twilight phenomenon? And it is not only a teen culture thing. I know friends who are hosting or attending themed parties where everyone dresses up like a character from the book and they watch the movie together.
I’m no teen culture expert. I depend others like you to keep me updated on all things teen in the ever-changing girl world. However, there are a couple of things I can gather from watching the Twilight obsession.
1. Most girls still dream of the perfect guy. The always-loving-and-caring guy, who will focus only on his girl and adore her every action. The guy who selflessly protects his girl’s virtue—her body, mind, emotions and reputation. He gives his best to his girl, she is not an afterthought. And this guy has the highest standards for himself.
2. There is something in all of us that longs for eternity. (Eccl. 3:11) Whether it is the believer who desires to know more about what heaven will be like or the unbeliever who wants know where we go after this life, we all long to know where we are going and who is going to be there with us. We were, after all, created for eternity.
As I continue to have conversations about vampires, werewolves, and eternity, one thing I’m certain of and can tell every girl: Jesus is way better than Edward! I love the character of Edward too, but he is just that, a fictional character.
I want to challenge girls to take the equal amount of time they’ve spent reading the Twilight series and read about Jesus’ love for them. They would know that Jesus is what their heart is longing for. Jesus is their protector, the One who adores them, and the One they can spend eternity with…for real!
How do we get this message to the girls in our world? I would love to hear about your “Twilight conversations” (I know you’ve had them) and how you are helping girls compare and contrast the Twilight series with enduring love and eternity with Jesus.
Just wondering if you have any suggestions for a young girls Bible study? My daughter (who is now 11) led a Bible study last summer with girls her age. They used the Point of Grace study called "Make It Real" and it went ok but I think much of it was over their age. Do you have any recommendations for 11 year old girls for a study they can do on their own? Or do you think an adult needs to be present?
Good question Kari! Consider checking out one of the "Between" magalogs (cross between book and magazine, looks like a magazine) by Vicki Courtney. She has written several of these and I am sitting here looking at "between us girls." It is designed for a girl to read/work through on her own. But a small group could probably do it together. There are some adults/girls ministry leaders who have been adapting the "Between" series into a Bible study. Depending upon her maturity level and if she can go a little deeper, also consider checking out "Hannah's One Wish" by Kelly Minter or "Esther: The Role of a Lifetime" by Pam Gibbs.
You must be so proud of your daughter leading Bible study at 11 years old! I can't wait to see what God does with her in the coming years!