Hound dogs are naturals at tracking down the source of a scent and their instinctive ability to sniff out trouble can be lifesaving. There have been many instances in which the dog’s acute sense of smell has been tapped to search for explosive devices or locate missing children.

In addition, these canines (breeds such as beagles, dachshunds, bloodhounds, English foxhounds, etc.) make ideal companions because they are always aware of their surroundings and reliable in times of distress.

The same two factors that make man’s best friend extremely useful—watchfulness and alertness—are why those who diligently and relentlessly keep up with current events are called newshounds.

Being a newshound is critically important for those striving to live God’s Way. In fact, it even has a “lifesaving” element.

As a teenager, you are faced with challenges that most generations of the past rarely experienced. Things such as amoral sex education, drug use, violence in schools, teenage pregnancy, immorality, perverse television shows, rotten music, binge drinking, suicide and gangs are far more extreme today. You probably have peers and acquaintances who deal with these and other problems. One teenager in God’s Church remarked how common pregnancy had become in her school of only a few hundred students!

Because you attend Sabbath services, you most likely understand various aspects of prophecy (events foretold in God’s Word). On the other hand, if you are new to the Church, you may be just learning basic truths of the Bible. Either way, you can and should view world events through a prophetic lens.

While the word newshound does not appear in the Bible, this all-important Book stresses the importance of being alert to what is occurring daily. Notice: “Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). The New American Standard translation renders the first part of the verse, “…keep on the alert at all times.”

Your grasp of world events is critical to understanding the troubling times foretold to come upon the world. This verse alone should make you feel a sense of urgency. But how can you know what to watch?

Internet Generation

You may be surprised by what your peers regularly view. A poll released in July 2015 by Pew Research Center found that six in 10 millennials get their political news from Facebook. Also, a 2013 Pew study found that 71 percent of young Americans use the internet to search for news, and subsequently 80 percent “graze” the news from time-to-time throughout the day instead of reading it at a regular time each day. And of all news content, the weather was followed the most!

In addition, satirical and crass programs such as Saturday Night Live or The Daily Show are what many teenagers use to grasp current events. Often, these programs present news in a way that is politically biased and are geared toward entertaining instead of informing viewers.

Do you find yourself part of this group? If so, be warned. Because you are a teenager in His Church, God gives you special knowledge that others your age do not have the privilege to understand. As a result, He expects more from you. He wants you to grow and become a more effective person so that you can, in turn, be a leader when God’s kingdom rules over the world.

Since we have been given special knowledge unknown to almost all of humanity, we have a special responsibility. Jesus Christ’s words help define our duty: “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48).

In a sense, this verse could be taken another way: to whom much is offered, much is required.

Almost certainly, none of your peers understand the knowledge that you have been given. They have not been taught to keep the Sabbath, the Holy Days, and that they must obey the Ten Commandments, among other laws of God.

Since you are part of the Church, you strive to live God’s Way. Because He sees you trying to go against the crowd and obey Him, He gives you the opportunity to have a position of leadership in the world tomorrow.

By watching news events, understanding mankind’s mistakes, and learning how God will solve problems, you will become a more effective leader now and later in God’s kingdom.

Avoid falling into a wrong attitude about what those around you are doing. The deplorable state of people, families, cities and nations can quickly cause you to become jaded and cynical toward the world. Through observing the conduct of others, you may develop a kind of “they deserve it” attitude. While all sin brings penalties, we must be careful not to look down on those in the world.

Instead we should have a humble attitude. Ezekiel states, “…Go through the midst of the city…and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof” (9:4).

God says He will grant special protection to those who obey Him and “sigh” and “cry” for the sins of others, all while longing for the day when Christ will bring the peace and happiness all desperately desire.

Tools to Use

Even if you are not baptized, news and world events still matter! Being informed will make you a more well-rounded student. When writing school papers, your increased fund of knowledge will leave you overflowing with ideas.

But how do you watch news events? What tools can you use to more effectively and efficiently keep on top of national and global news?

First and foremost, study The Real Truth magazine. Each issue will help you comprehend the prophetic implications of the growing problems mankind faces. Paying close attention to lessons in sermons and articles will also help you gain knowledge and become more grounded in God’s way of life.

There are many options in traditional and digital media. Perhaps your parents subscribe to news magazines. Those such as Newsweek or Time contain stories explaining various news events in a more in-depth way.

For more up-to-the-minute stories and events, the daily newspaper is another avenue. Such publications produce short articles and news reports covering a wide range of topics.

Of course, the most effective news source today is the internet. It allows you to visit thousands of newspapers, newswire services, magazines, blogs, etc., in a relatively short amount of time.

Do not allow the web to become your only news source. The fast-paced nature of the internet means that many stories do not carry the same depth as their offline counterparts.

Another thing to always keep in mind is the editorial bias of what you read. Remember, the world knows nothing about God’s way of solving problems. News stories often contain an author’s bias or ideology (consciously or unconsciously), and reveal a writer’s political leanings. Certain newspapers and magazines publish stories that follow their editorial opinions—effectively filtering the news.

This is why having only one source for news is unwise. Analyze and compare what various sources report about a topic. Read different magazines and newspapers. Visit a variety of news websites. Apply the same principles when watching news on reputable television or online video channels. This will help you gain a bigger picture of world events and allow you to filter out bias.

Pay special attention to reports that show the rise of false religion, war, violence, wild weather, and other events mentioned during Sabbath services. Also, when you are talking with other teenagers in God’s Church, make an effort to discuss world events and how they fit into prophecy and the Bible. You will be amazed at the deep conversations such topics can generate.

The more you follow news, the more informed you will become. This, combined with prophetic understanding, will drive a deeper interest in events around you.

Why It Matters

By keeping abreast of national and international events, you will never be left unprepared or caught off guard. Studying sermons and articles will enable you to answer questions about your beliefs and never feel concerned regarding the timing of prophetic events. This peace of mind will be evident to those around you. They will see the joy that radiates from understanding the “happy ending” to the tragedies occurring today.

Yet watching is not the only condition for receiving God’s protection. Recall Luke 21:36, and notice the second condition: “But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength…” (New American Standard Bible).

Not only must you “be alert,” but you must also pray. Praying is inseparably tied to understanding events. Notice: “For God gives to a man that is good in His sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy…” (Ecc. 2:26). You must ask God for wisdom and understanding. (You may wish to read the article “The Keys to Dynamic Prayer” to learn more about how to effectively do so.)

God’s answers to your prayers will give you strength through difficult times.

By doing your part with prayer—and watching and being alert—you will be prepared for the prophetic “rollercoaster ride” that will strike the world.

Instead of being bogged down by events in the world, you will feel joy and excitement because you understand the wonderful good news that will soon follow!