The Secret Life Of The American Teenager...Episode 1

After recording the show on the greatness of the DVR I was finally able to make some time to watch the first episode of ABC Family's latest series. My overall statement on the show at this point is, I'm hooked. While the show does over do the Christian character in some areas, I can understand why. The show is making it clear that being a Christian means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I do hope that the non-believers watching this show understand that and don't take it as Christians are odd or strange people.
Actress Shailene Woodley plays the role of "Amy" the young girl who becomes pregnant at summer camp by "Ricky" who is the drummer in the school band and is well known as being the schools biggest "player" of teenage girls. Ricky, played by Daren Kagasoff turns out to have been molested by his father as a child. Ricky's father then abandons him into the system of Social Services. According to Ricky's psychologist it's because of the molestation that Ricky turns to casual sex with any girl possible.
There are a couple of innuendos that might not of been caught by some in this first episode. One taking place during Ricky's session with his psychologist. His psychologist says, "The sovereign hand of Social Services reached down and plucked you out of that horrible situation and placed you in the arms of a family that loves you and has the greatest hopes and dreams for you."
For us believers, we know that God plucked us out of our hell bound situation and placed us under the saving blood of Christ.
The two Christian students I've seen in the show thus far are the cheerleader "Grace" played by Megan Park and "Jack" played by Greg Finley who is Grace's boyfriend and the star of the football team. Grace has promised God, her parents, and herself abstinence until marriage. While Jack has promised himself to Grace and is what the writer's of the show might call an immature or young believer. Jack has difficulty with the realization that Grace is serious about not having sex until she is married. It's from Grace and Jack's conversation we see Satan's temptation come into play. The temptation comes to Jack in the form of a young girl named "Adrian," played by Francia Raisa. Adrian is the girlfriend of Ricky, the school drummer and more notably the father of Amy's unborn child. Adrian over hears Jack and Grace talking about not having sex. She sees how weak Jack is and is more then willing to help him out in this matter. She seals her offer by taking a bite out of an apple; that being our second innuendo. Jack falls or jumps at her offer and also eats of the fruit. His repentance at first seems to be sincere, but the more you listen to him the more it seems fairly shallow. I guess we'll see as the episodes role on. Episode 1 ends with Grace's autistic older brother catching Adrian and Jack kissing outside of the gym.
I'm very interested in seeing the outcome the writers will give our two so-called Christians by the end of this series. How will Grace react to this situation? How will Jack handle the sin that he has committed against God, himself, and Grace?
My DVR is locked and loaded for Tuesday night at 7pm cst on ABC Family.

In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.

New Series on ABC Family...

For the past several weeks I've been seeing previews for a new series on ABC Family called "The Secret Life Of The American Teenager." If you haven't seen the preview then you can view it here by clicking the link. The first episode wastes no time getting to the heart of the show. A young high school girl gets pregnant while at summer camp and must tell her parents about the situation while dealing with school and her parents marital issues.
Since teaching a youth Sunday school class I try quite often to keep up with what is going on in the lives of young people in today's world. While I will refrain from passing judgment on this show at this time; it is very much intriguing to me. I will be watching at least the first episode to see how much it has to offer in the realm of learning material and if you are a parent I would ask you to do the same.
The best television programs to watch are often times a basic reflection of what is going on in our society. While I hope this isn't one of those, I do realize that teen pregnancy is an issue in our country that needs to be dealt with. By reading a few of the blogs from the ABC Family website I can tell this will be a hit with the teenage girls. Some even blog about how they have gone through the exact same thing. The show for that age group may thrive or fail based off how true to life the teens think it is.
"The Secret Life Of The American Teenager" premieres Tuesday night July 1st at 7pm cst on ABC Family.

In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.