Our youth passage is 1 Timothy 4:12-15 because of its encouragement for our time as young followers of Jesus Christ living in this sinful world that is full of evil.
In 4:12 it says, "Let no one despise your youth but be an example to all the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity." Here it is saying that we are to be witnesses to believers, not just unbelievers. You can encourage young and old to follow God with all their hearts and not just to have God as fire insurance. Even though we are still young do not be afraid of what people may say because we can still be used by God for His great purpose. A good example is when David killed Goliath with a sling and stone 1 Samuel 17. He was strong in the Lord when everyone else was afraid of being killed thinking that Goliath was too big ... but David knew that God was bigger and stronger. The Bible also says in Philippians 4:13, "You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you." So we should not be afraid because God is with us and He gives us strength to do the impossible. In 1 Timothy 4:13 it says, "Until I come, give attention to reading, exhortation, and teaching." We need to stay in God's word so we can have our sword of the spirit ready to stand firm against the enemy like it says in Ephesians 6. In verse 4:14 the text says, "Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you though prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders." This means we need to use our gifts not for men but for God's glory and purpose for our lives here on earth. In 4:15 it says, "Practice these things; be committed to them, so your progress may be evident to all." We as Christians need to live out what this verse says to practice and be committed to serve the Lord with our whole hearts for everyone to see. Hopefully they will follow our example in the way we live our lives here in this world. John 15:19 says, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." In this verse it says that we need to be like God and not the world that is all around us. We must be lights for the Lord for all to see and hopefully they will see a difference in us and choose to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Even though we are young God can and will use us to be witnesses to unbelievers and believers. We want to be used by God that's why our passage is 1 Timothy 4:12-15.
In 4:12 it says, "Let no one despise your youth but be an example to all the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity." Here it is saying that we are to be witnesses to believers, not just unbelievers. You can encourage young and old to follow God with all their hearts and not just to have God as fire insurance. Even though we are still young do not be afraid of what people may say because we can still be used by God for His great purpose. A good example is when David killed Goliath with a sling and stone 1 Samuel 17. He was strong in the Lord when everyone else was afraid of being killed thinking that Goliath was too big ... but David knew that God was bigger and stronger. The Bible also says in Philippians 4:13, "You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you." So we should not be afraid because God is with us and He gives us strength to do the impossible. In 1 Timothy 4:13 it says, "Until I come, give attention to reading, exhortation, and teaching." We need to stay in God's word so we can have our sword of the spirit ready to stand firm against the enemy like it says in Ephesians 6. In verse 4:14 the text says, "Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you though prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders." This means we need to use our gifts not for men but for God's glory and purpose for our lives here on earth. In 4:15 it says, "Practice these things; be committed to them, so your progress may be evident to all." We as Christians need to live out what this verse says to practice and be committed to serve the Lord with our whole hearts for everyone to see. Hopefully they will follow our example in the way we live our lives here in this world. John 15:19 says, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." In this verse it says that we need to be like God and not the world that is all around us. We must be lights for the Lord for all to see and hopefully they will see a difference in us and choose to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Even though we are young God can and will use us to be witnesses to unbelievers and believers. We want to be used by God that's why our passage is 1 Timothy 4:12-15.
Look here for more articles and thoughts from our students. As we develop the site, we wish to see this section (and eventually more) dedicated to allowing the students to express their thoughts and ideas.
Our Youth Passage Scotty Borgert
Dead Armadillo
Productions
© 2009
Productions
© 2009
Garden Valley Bible Church
Student Ministry
making disciples as we go...
