How to Make Good Decisions: 6 Biblical Examples for Teens

Special thanks to Zeeva Usman for contributing this article, giving me the chance to spend more time with my family this summer!

Teens have a reputation for rushing into decisions with little consideration for the outcome. At this crucial stage of developing identities and values, unwise choices can have dire consequences. Thankfully, Scripture is full of God’s wisdom and guidance for teens on how to make good decisions.

The Bible tells of several youthful characters who sought God’s wisdom before taking action when faced with tribulations. God doesn’t care about your age, and he can use anyone to guide you into the right choices.

Be inspired to seek God’s wisdom by these biblical examples for teens.

Seeking God’s Wisdom: Biblical Examples for Teens

1) Solomon: Prioritizing Wisdom Over Instant Gratification

Young people face numerous choices regarding education, career choices, and relationships. Unfortunately, some end up making the wrong choices for superficial gains, which might feel good at first.

Take a lesson from Solomon, the wisest human in the Bible. In 1 Kings 3:5-14, God appears to the young king in a dream and asks about his desires. Where many in his place would ask for extreme wealth or a long life devoid of sickness, Solomon asked for wisdom, and the Lord granted his wish. God the Almighty was so pleased with the king’s desire that He also gave him riches and honor. 

When facing tough decisions, seek wisdom. Wisdom will help you forego short-term gains in favor of the ultimate goal.

Related: Sequins or Diamonds: Remember This When Sin Looks Attractive

2) David: Bravery Through Wisdom

Before King Solomon, there was his father, David, who rose from a young shepherd to the throne. Young David was brave enough to fight off beasts in the fields and put up a show against the Philistines led by the then-never-before-defeated Goliath. Much later as king, he fought off many strong armies, saving the lives and legacy of the Israelites.

Being brave doesn’t mean entering fights with other people just to show your strength. Rather, it’s having the courage to seek God’s wisdom and understanding to neutralize threats. David loved the Lord and always sought forgiveness from Him whenever he went astray. In turn, the Lord helped him in various battles.

You will fight many battles in life. Heartbreak, exam failure, stress, and bullies. Overcoming them requires Godly wisdom. Like David, God can help you know when to “strike the enemy.” Sometimes, you’ll have to fight with biblical guidance, but other times, you’ll have to flee (avoid any confrontations or let go of certain things). David fought Goliath the giant, yet he ran away when Saul hunted him (1 Samuel 20:35-42).

Related: How to Overcome Failure: The Bottom Line of Philippians 4:13

3) Jesus: Spiritual Growth Breeds Wisdom

At the age of twelve, Jesus stayed back in Jerusalem to converse with teachers at the temple (Luke 2:41-52). The boy Jesus knew that drawing near to God was the best way to get wisdom. Surprisingly, the teachers were awed by Jesus’s intelligence. His understanding and how He answered questions was astonishing, especially coming from a young boy. The last verse states:

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:52

The Bible illustrates how young people can grow their knowledge and wisdom simply by staying close to God. Ask questions and seek understanding to develop a deep, personal relationship with God. Attend church and talk to your teachers, just like young Jesus did.

Related: Seeking Jesus: How to Get Closer to God Right Now

4) Esther: Wisdom to Stand Up for Justice

Young leaders can lead well only if they tap God’s wisdom. Esther was a young queen, yet she led by example. She fasted and prayed with her people to avoid the King’s wrath.

Esther 2 highlights the young queen’s wisdom and how it saved a life. She protected the king and won his favor after revealing a plot to harm the king. Put simply, she stood up for justice and protected her loved ones from harm. 

As a teen, you may take on various leadership roles, including team captain, class president, and the student council. Occasionally, these positions call for standing up for justice and making wise decisions to protect other students, the school’s reputation, and the environment. In these instances, seek God’s wisdom and guidance. Through it, you will solve cases, spearhead environmental awareness programs, advocate for social justice, address local issues, and demonstrate discipline and teamwork. 

Remember, you are also a role model to siblings and younger teens. Like Esther, be a leader and seek God’s wisdom to help you protect your family and community.

Related: 8 Ways to Encourage Your Friends in the Faith

5) Daniel: A Young Man of Principle

Scripture talks about several young men who were highly principled. Daniel and his friends, for example, stayed true to their principles by refusing to consume unclean food and wine at the palace (Daniel 1). God gave them the wisdom to instead request vegetables and water, and they were healthier than those who ate the king’s food. 

Don’t conform to peer expectations that contradict your values. A good example is refusing to take liquor even if your friends are consuming it. When faced with difficult circumstances, trust a higher purpose and stay true to your beliefs.

Related: Everybody’s Doing It! How to Overcome the Lie Behind Peer Pressure

6) The Prodigal: How Bad Decisions Lead to Tribulations

In the quest for independence, teenagers sometimes make mistakes that cause harm to themselves and their families. Some teens try drugs and alcohol. Others bully their schoolmates, disrespect their parents and teachers, steal money, go places they’re not allowed to visit, or, in the case of the Prodigal, force their parents into giving them property.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a good lesson to all teens fighting for their independence. Luke 15:11-32 tells of a young man who demands his inheritance from his father, then travels to a different country where he lives recklessly and squanders everything he has.

Left with nothing, the young man has to work on a pig farm where he eats and sleeps with the pigs. Pig farms then were filthy. This example shows how poor decisions can lead to suffering.

God of Second Chances: What Should Teens Do After Making Mistakes?

Fortunately, the Prodigal Son realized he had made a mistake, returned home, and sought forgiveness from his dad. This story shows that while poor decisions can have terrible consequences, they also offer the opportunity to learn from your errors and rebuild your life. 

Ask for forgiveness from parents, teachers, friends, schoolmates, and other individuals you might have hurt. Repentance can help repair broken relationships, even those thought to be long dead.

Related: Epic Faith: How to Deal With Guilt Over Lost Virigintiy (And Other Sins)

How to Make Good Decisions: Scripture, Prayer & The Fear of the Lord

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

Before doing anything, put God first and trust Him in everything. Know that He is the only source of wisdom and understanding. 

Read the Bible to understand God’s might and will, His deeds, and how He helped many youthful individuals in tough situations. And finally, always pray and seek guidance from the Lord.

Guest Author Bio: Zeeva Usman is a content marketing manager at Peter & Petra. She leads the remote working training program at Second Adam Church and is a content marketing specialist at Church Marketing Agency. When not working, she loves to worship and sing for the Lord Jesus.