Spiritual direction is defined as “the help that is given to others to enable them to become themselves in their faith” (Davis, 266). It is a model of religious education for adolescents that encourages an ongoing relationship between mentor and adolescent; involving one-on-one meetings where discussion focuses on issues that affect the adolescent's life in hopes of seeing how God can be present and working in them. Spiritual guidance addresses the major concerns of each adolescent's life. Through this educational model, adolescents are confronted with relevant spiritual questions that can lead them to discern the presence of God in their lives (Davis, 268). Because adolescence is a time when one desires to find deeper meaning in one's life, spiritual guidance from the Church and parents is both beneficial and necessary. Adolescents develop the ability to reason and question, thereby understanding the Truth in a new spiritual way. It is important that spiritual leaders walk alongside adolescents to direct them towards the Truth. This stage of development opens individuals to new abilities to meet a spiritual hunger, making it the prime time for conversion (Davis, 270). Through the spiritual direction of parents and Church mentors, adolescents can discover and create individual identities before God. The spiritual model also influenced the religious and spiritual development of adolescents. Teachers, both in education and in the Church, have the opportunity to enhance attributes such as wisdom, good character, and generosity by modeling spirituality (Lerner, 109). Spiritual models are designed to be examples of the positive purpose of setting and pursuing goals. They should seek to demonstrate that they are making a positive connection...... middle of paper ......18. doi:10.1080/10508610701879340Nielson, Jon. “The Gospel Coalition”. The Gospel Coalition Blog Why Young People Stay in the Church as They Grow Up Comments. February 25, 2014. (Particular to the Internet)Ozorak, E. (1989). Social and cognitive influences on the development of religious beliefs and commitments in adolescence. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 28(4), 448.Regnerus, M.D., Smith, C., & Smith, B. (2004). Social context in the development of adolescent religiosity. Applied Developmental Sciences,8(1), 27-38.Willits, Fern K. and Donald M. Crider. “Church attendance and traditional religious beliefs in adolescence and adulthood: a panel study.” Review Of Religious Research 31.1 (1989): 68. Academic Search Premier. Internet. February 25, 2014. (Periodical)