Most Christian teens know that a solid relationship with God means incorporating their faith into every aspect of their lives. A 16th birthday party is an excellent venue for reminding teens of the importance of following God in all that they do. A birthday sermon on a well-chosen Bible topic can help reinforce crucial lessons about life, love and Christianity.

A birthday party is the perfect place to preach to teens about the harm that alcohol, drugs and cigarettes can cause. Remind teens that the body is a temple and a gift from their heavenly father, and it should be taken care of and respected. Urge teens to think long and hard about altering their bodies with tattoos or piercings and ask themselves if by doing so they glorify God. The Bible says in 1 Peter 6:13 that Christians should " ... let [their] adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." Stress the need to stay active and fit and to eat healthful meals.

Christian teens are taught to maintain abstinence until marriage, but by the 16th year, it's useful to remind teens of their vows and God's desires for them. First Corinthians 6:13 reminds Christians that "the body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord ..." Teens may be under strong pressure to have sex, so hearing someone preach on the necessity of maintaining purity for their spouse can help reaffirm their vow. If teens are already dating, preach to them about the need to choose a partner who shares their faith in God and will make a strong, loving spouse someday.

A teen turning 16 in today's world has already seen a large share of disasters and injustice. Use his birthday as a venue for preaching to him and his friends about God's omnipotence despite all the evil in the world. Urge him to turn to God in times of doubt, struggle or temptation. Remind him that doubts are natural and can help his faith grow. Give the example of the biblical Job, who lost his family, fortune and everything dear to him but never gave up his faith in the Lord.

A 16-year-old may be dealing with a range of emotional issues because of constant changes, social upheaval or even puberty. Use the book of Joshua to illustrate the rewards of turning to God for everything she needs and trusting him to fulfill those needs. Preach to teens about the need to find a strong, close-knit church family they can confide in. Encourage them to pray and seek spiritual counseling with they encounter depression, body image issues, fear, peer pressure and rejection. Preach the need to trust God to bring fulfillment and happiness, not material things.