It's All In The Name

Those who have not actually attended a Teen Straight Talk presentation may wonder what it’s all about, sure you many have heard about the program, but can you really know what it is all about without a firsthand experience. So how do we begin to explain such a profound program?

In Biblical times a person’s name revealed a defining attribute of that individual. For example: Nathan in Hebrew means “giver” and Ruth in Hebrew means “friend”. If we can use that analogy, Teen Straight Talk’s name reveals the nature of its work – presenting “the truth” with “straight talk.”

Our youngsters desperately need concrete answers in order to make responsible decisions. If we give them answers using today’s circumstances, trends, situations, conditions, and popular opinion – where is the clarity they so desperately need?  How can our youngsters find straight answers and clarity? The answer lies in the truth, which is presented by Teen Straight Talk.

Next we may ask; is there such a thing as absolute truth? According to Barna, a Christian research and polling group, 84% of Americans claim to be Christians yet 40% say there is no such thing as absolute truth. This is quite amazing from a Christian point of view. Absolute truth is just what it says, truth that is absolute; and there is no room for compromise, which is so prevalent in our culture today. It often may be difficult to square off with absolute truth because it takes us places we don’t want to be, basically out of our comfort zone. When truth hits us head-on we can either embrace its reality or follow a course of compromise which leads one to conformity to a lesser standard, and in turn, face the consequences that go along with it. Are we willing to stand back and let our youngsters be driven by popular opinion or are we going to encourage them to seek and embrace truth?

So than, how do we deal with the issue of absolute truth? Keeping things simple and to the point – you have one of two choices:

1. Follow the Bible, in which you are guided by absolute truth  revealed by the

                                 Creator – GOD

1. Follow the culture, in which you are guided by relativism and popular opinion of the

                                 People – MAN

I believe we often under estimate the ability of our young people to handle and deal with truth. Even though standards of culture may change; truth never changes.

If we are to see clearly and help others see clearly, we must follow the footsteps and example of our leader, Jesus Christ, who associated with all kinds of people in the culture, teaching and conveying His message without ever compromising the truth.

What makes Teen Straight Talk different form most other programs? Teen Straight Talk does not deal with the swaying surface of the matter; it deals with the core truth of the matter.

If you want to know who we are – “It’s All in the Name”.

Ted Smith, TST Curriculum Director