Looking Up To Youth!

Paul wrote to encourage a lot of Christians including the YOUNG evangelist, Timothy. Though Timothy was not a teenager, some of the encouragement he received from Paul is appropriate for teens as well as those of us who are older.

Paul encouraged Timothy…
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but SET THE BELIEVERS AN EXAMPLE in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” ( 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)

Adults SHOULD be good examples for youth to follow. However, that is sadly not always the case. On the other hand, adults can also LEARN FROM YOUTH.

You who are teenagers are to be valued! You are important! You have something to offer which can benefit even adults! Sometimes youth are referred to as the “church of tomorrow”. Now, it is true that you (hopefully) will be a part of the future of the church. However, you are A VITAL PART of the church TODAY -- RIGHT NOW! You do have something to offer. And your life can be a POWERFUL EXAMPLE for your peers, your family and the church. Your youthful energy, excitement, and creativity can be a powerful tool used by God to reach out to others and influence their lives. In the midst of all the ungodly things of the world, your godly example can give direction not only for your peers, but also to the adult world when others see what wonderful things a right focus on God brings to your life.

Let your life be one that is not looked down on because you are young, but one that is looked up to -- even by the adults around you. Be a godly example in your speech, in the way you live your daily life, in the way you love, in your faith in God and in your purity of life. You are a precious part of our family life in the church.

May you BE USED TODAY POWERFULLY TO THE GLORY OF GOD!
Carl

-----------------------
[This focus was originally sent 05/24/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Example