For thousands of years, parents have passed down from one generation to another a common understanding of what kids need in order to succeed in life. In fact, the Bible speaks volumes on that subject. But we now have scientific research that confirms the truth of Scripture.

Research has identified 40 positive experiences and qualities that children and teenagers need in their lives. The "developmental assets" have emerged from this extensive research on positive relationships, experiences, opportunities and personal qualities.

So what are these developmental assets? These assets are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. They have the power during critical adolescent years to influence the choices that young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. The assets are defined across eight broad areas of human development. Each of these assets paints a picture of the positive things all young people need. The power of the assets to help our kids grow is significant. Results show that the greater the number of assets, the more positive and successful will be a child's development. The fewer the assets, the greater the possibility that a youth will engage in risky behavior such as drug use, unsafe sex and violence.

Take time to explore the difference the assets make. The assets represent God's design for well-being in our lives. Each asset has multiple connections to Scripture. You may wish to reflect on the specific verses as you review the list below.

The 40 Developmental Assets

These are the building blocks that help young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

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External Assets
Support	Family support—Family life provides high levels of love and support. Positive family communication—Young person and his or her parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parents. Other adult relationships—Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults. Caring neighborhood—Young person experiences caring neighbors. Caring school climate—School provides a caring, encouraging environment. Parent involvement in schooling—Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.
Empowerment	Community values youth—Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth. Youth as resources—Young people are given useful roles in the community. Service to others—Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week. Safety—Young person feels safe at home, school and in the neighborhood.
Boundaries & Expectations	Family boundaries—Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person's whereabouts. School boundaries—School provides clear rules and consequences. Neighborhood boundaries—Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people's behavior. Adult role models—Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior. Positive peer influence—Young person's best friends model responsible behavior. High expectations—Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well.
Constructive Use of Time	Creative activities—Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater or other arts. Youth programs—Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs or organizations at school and/or in the community. Religious community—Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution. Time at home—Young person is out with friends "with nothing special to do" two or fewer nights per week.

Internal Assets
Commitment to Learning	Achievement motivation—Young person is motivated to do well in school. School engagement—Young person is actively engaged in learning. Homework—Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day. Bonding to school—Young person cares about his or her school. Reading for pleasure—Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.
Positive Values	Caring—Young person places high value on helping other people. Equality and social justice—Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty. Integrity—Young person acts on convictions and stands up for his or her beliefs. Honesty—Young person "tells the truth even when it is not easy." Responsibility—Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility. Restraint—Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs.
Social Competencies	Planning and decision making—Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices. Interpersonal competence—Young person has empathy, sensitivity and friendship skills. Cultural competence—Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds. Resistance skills—Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations. Peaceful conflict resolution—Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.
Positive Identity	Personal power—Young person feels he or she has control over "things that happen to me." Self-esteem—Young person reports having a high self-esteem. Sense of purpose—Young person reports that "my life has a purpose." Positive view of personal future—Young person is optimistic about her or his personal future.

How the Bible Relates

It may be helpful to refer to Scripture to emphasize the importance of each of the 40 developmental assets. Here are some Old and New Testament passages that relate to each asset.

	Asset	Old Testament Reference	New Testament Reference
1.	Family Support	Psalms 103:13-14 The Lord has compassion for his children.	Ephesians 5:1-2 Be imitators of God as beloved children...
2.	Positive family communication	Proverbs 15:1-4 A soft answer turns away wrath...	Ephesians 4:15-16 Grow up in every way... Ephesians 6:4 Do not provoke to anger...
3.	Other adult relationships	2 Kings 2 Elijah and Elisha	2 Timothy 1:1-14 Hold to standards of good teaching
4.	Caring neighborhood	Leviticus 19:18, 33-34 Love your neighbor as you love yourself.	Mark 12:31-33 Jesus: Love your neighbor as yourself.
5.	Caring school climate	Ezekiel 34:11-15 God is the true shepherd.	Mark 9:37 Jesus: Whoever welcomes the child, welcomes me.
6.	Parent involvement in schooling	Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child...	Luke 2:41-52 Jesus the boy in the Temple.
7.	Community values youth	Jeremiah 1:5-8 Call of Jeremiah.	Luke 15:1-10 Parables of the lost sheep and coin. Matthew 19:13-15 Jesus blesses the children
8.	Youth as resources	1 Samuel 16 David anointed as king.	1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth...
9.	Service to others	Isaiah 6 Vision of God in the Temple.	Romans 12:9-13 Marks of a Christian.
10.	Safety	Psalms 12:6-8 Protection of the Lord.	Luke 15:1-7 The lost sheep.
11.	Family Boundaries	Exodus 20:12 Fourth Commandment. Proverbs 29:17 Discipline.	Hebrews 12:5-13 Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord... Ephesians 6:1-4 Honor your father and mother...
12.	School Boundaries	Psalms 7:7-8 Judgment.	Titus 3:1-2 Be subject to rulers and authorities...
13.	Neighborhood Boundaries	Leviticus 19:15-18 Do not render an unjust judgment.	Ephesians 4:25-28 Speak truth to our neighbors...
14.	Adult Role Models	1 Samuel 3 Call of Samuel.	Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph and the angel. Hebrews 11, 13:7 Examples of faith.
15.	Positive Peer Influence	1 Samuel 20 Jonathon and David.	Philemon 1:7 Encouragement from friends.
16.	High Expectations	Exodus 3-4 God calls Moses.	2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Warning against idleness.
17.	Creative Activities	Psalms 148-150 All creation praises the Lord.	Ephesians 5:19-20 Sings psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...
18.	Youth Programs	Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17 There is a time and season for all things.	2 Corinthians 10:15-18 Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
19.	Religious Community	Isaiah 35:1-10 Return of the redeemed to Zion.	Romans 12:4-8 One body, many members...
20.	Time at Home	Ruth 1:16-18 Ruth and Naomi; where you go I will go...	Luke 15:11-32 The Prodigal Son.
21.	Achievement Motivation	Nehemiah 2:11-18 Restoring the walls of Jerusalem.	Hebrews 12:1-2 Run the race set before you
22.	School Engagement	Exodus 31:1-5 Bezalel and Oholiab	Colossians 3:23-24 Do your tasks for the Lord.
23.	Homework	Ezra 7:8-10 Ezra studies the Law.	John 7:14-16 Jesus teaches in the Temple.
24.	Bonding to School	Psalms 27:11 Teach me your way, O Lord.	Romans 13:1-3 Being subject to authorities
25.	Reading for Pleasure	Jeremiah 36:1-10 Reading the scrolls in the Temple.	Acts 15:22-35 Letter to Antioch.
26.	Caring	2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15 Healing of Namaan.	Luke 10:25-37 The Good Samaritan.
27.	Equality and Social Justice	Amos 5:24 Let justice roll down...	Luke 16:19-31 Rich Man and Lazarus. Matthew 25:34-36 The Ten Bridesmaids.
28.	Integrity	Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require...	2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 Being chosen as first fruits of salvation; stand firm...
29.	Honesty	Proverbs 16:13; 24:26 Righteous lips...	Luke 23:33-43 Jesus and the two criminals.
30.	Responsibility	Ezekiel 18:1-9 Individual retribution.	Luke 16:1-13 The Dishonest Manager.
31.	Restraint	Numbers 25:1-5 Do not worship Baal.	1 Thessalonians 4:3
32.	Planning and Decision Making	Isaiah 1:1-5 Vision of Isaiah.	Luke 14:28-33 Counting the cost.
33.	Interpersonal Skills	Proverbs 18:16 Gifts open door.	1 Timothy 6:18 The good fight of faith.
34.	Cultural Competence	Isaiah 11:1-10 The peaceful kingdom.	Romans 15:4-13 Live in harmony with each other.
35.	Resistance Skills	Proverbs 28:4-5 Those who keep the Law struggle against the wicked.	1 Corinthians 10:13 We won't be tested beyond our strength.
36.	Peaceful Conflict Resolution	Isaiah 2:1-5 A peaceful future.	Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers.
37.	Personal Power	1 Kings 17:7-16 Elijah feeds the widow and her son.	Romans 12:1-8 New life in Christ...be not conformed to this world.
38.	Self-esteem	Psalms 139:13 The Lord has formed us.	John 8:31-36 Truth will set you free.
39.	Sense of Purpose	Isaiah 43:1-7 The Lord restores those called by name.	2 Timothy 4:5-11 Paul's charge to Timothy.
40.	Positive View of Personal Future	Jeremiah 29:11-12 I know the plans I have for you... a future with hope.	Luke 6:20-31 The Beatitudes.

Take the Parenting Compass Assessment - our online assessment tool to measure how many of these assets your child has.

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