In today’s society, churches are trying new ideas to reach the younger generation, and many of these youth have not seen the inside of a church before. We would like to think these young people come from a two-parent home. The truth is that many of them come from broken homes. When these young people cannot find what they are looking for at home, they will search other places and other ways to fill the void they feel inside. So often when we get them into the church, whether by bus or some other means, we make judgments without knowing their particular situation.
When we were their age, peer pressure was not the same as it is today. Some of the problems the youth are facing now are drugs, alcohol, premature sex, gangs, etc. Some of them have parents who do not care where they are or what they are doing. Young people are looking for people to love them as they are. God’s word tells us in Colossians 3:20, “Children, obey your parents.” In Colossians 3:21, it also says, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” The bottom line is that if we, as adults, want the young people to respect us, we have to love and respect them in a godly way.
How are we, as church members, trying to reach out to help them? First, we are not to look down on them because of the way they dress or act. Remember, we are looking at our future leaders, so we are to reach out and minister to their needs. Second, we must show and also teach them that God’s love for them is unconditional. The way we responded when we were young will not work in today’s world. We need to understand they are coming from the same direction we are, because we are both looking for peace within ourselves. Only God can provide the peace we are all searching for.
We need to be careful when we reach out to our youth to not give them the wrong message, for those who profess Jesus as Lord should live their life in such a way the world will know they are Christians. If the world cannot see any difference, then how can we be effective in our walk with Christ before a lost and dying world? God has given us a free will to decide whether we are going to live for the world or live for God. Who will be your master? Who will you choose?
Parents, take time to instruct your children in the ways of the Lord and teach them right from wrong. Show them you care by listening to them when they reach out for your attention.
God has chosen some mighty men to serve him from their youth. A few of these men are: Joseph (Genesis 37:1-11), Samuel (1 Samuel 2:18-21), David (1 Samuel 17:40-47), Solomon (1 Kings 1:28-37, Proverbs 3:1-6), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-7), Jeremiah (]eremiah 1:1-11), Daniel (Daniel 1:3-11) and Timothy (1 Timothy 1:18-20). I hope you will take time to read about these great men chosen by God to carry out his will.
There is nothing you or I cannot do if we will allow Christ to rule our heart and soul and give him our all. It says in 2 Timothy 1:13-14, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” First John 2:28 says, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
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