An obedient teenager sounds like a misnomer in our contemporary society. That age‑bracket is so often characterised by rebellion; but we are dealing with our subjects from a Biblical viewpoint, and the Bible is very definite about the need for obedience to all lawful authority. The first authority we come under is parental; then the Education authorities. We have responsibilities to the civil law, the community and the nation as well as to our spiritual Leaders.
We are therefore surrounded by Authorities, but the interesting thing is this. If one is obedient, they are hardly noticeable. "The Law was not given for a righteous man". (1 Timothy 1:9) We know however, that rebellion is a part of human nature, and during the teen ages it can show itself in many ways; from a display of sullenness in the home to hooliganism and vandalism on the streets.
The choice of company and friends is of the essence, because a lot of troublesome traits are aggravated by peer pressure. A psychiatrist once told me that he believed when gangs operate, a 'group spirit' takes over, causing them to do things that they would not do as individuals. I do not know whether he was thinking in terms of an evil spirit, but it noteworthy that in Paul's letter to the Ephesians (2:2) there is a reference to those who walk according to the course of this world... "The spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience". How often we have heard a parent say when a son or daughter has been involved in a criminal offence: "This is completely out of character".