WHY YOU SHOULD ENCOURAGE TEENS TO TRY WORKING WITH THEIR HANDS

Did you ever take a high school wood, metal, or auto shop class?

Do you remember making crafts as a kid?

Now, I don’t know if you’re the kind of person who loves creating and making things or if you’re the person who turns every craft into a catastrophe (you know who you are).

I’ll never forget taking wood shop in high school.

I made a wooden clock; at the time, I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever created. 

I was so proud of that clock I immediately made another one as a Christmas gift for my parents.

For some reason, that clock never found a place on our living room wall. Ha!

Still, there was something so rewarding about bringing something into existence—something I crafted with my own hands.

To me, it looked beautiful, and the experience was satisfying in a way I couldn’t quite put into words.

Even if you can’t relate to my wood shop days, you’ve probably heard someone talk about how much they enjoy working with their hands.

If you ask them why, they’ll likely say it’s because there’s joy in completing a task, stepping back, and feeling satisfied with a job well done.

Have you ever wondered why that is?

The answer, I believe, is simple—and deeply spiritual.

We were designed by God to create, to build, and to make.

This quote from Work Worth Doing captures the idea beautifully:

“What is it about any craftsperson, working with their hands, that often feels so right?… People who work in the trades talk often about how they love working with their hands and how it comes naturally to them. And it should come naturally! God made those hands! He created our sense of touch as a means of engaging his revelation in a physical world. It is a different—but valid—way of knowing and worshipping.”

Isn’t that powerful?

God created all of us with unique talents and abilities to glorify Him.

But so often, we overlook the incredible gift of working with our hands.

Many—especially young people exploring their future—have an innate interest in using their hands to create. 

However, they may not realize how this connects to their faith or how they can serve Christ through it.

What if we encouraged teens to see their interest in creating, building, and crafting as a way to glorify God?

What if we taught them that making art, working on projects, or using their hands in any way can be a form of worship?

This isn’t necessarily about steering them toward a career in skill-based labor (though it might be an option).

It’s about helping them understand that God designed them to live for Christ in every way—including through the work of their hands.

Young people today need to hear and experience this message.

They need to know that the satisfaction of creating isn’t just a coincidence; it’s part of God’s design.

So, has your teen had this opportunity yet?

Let’s help them see the joy, purpose, and meaning in the work of their hands.