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A Youth’s Relationship with God
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Introduction
A. It is often said that young people are the church of tomorrow.
B. However, young people can be the church of today if we do our job of teaching them, and they do their job of following God.
C. The Bible has a lot to say to those teaching young people, and to young people willing to learn and grow.
Body
I. Each generation is responsible for teaching the younger generation.
A. The wise man wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).”
B. Paul reminded fathers to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
C. God commanded Israel to teach their children and grandchildren His commandments (Deuteronomy 4:8-10).
D. Timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him the Scriptures since he was a babe (2 Timothy 3:14-15; 1:5).
E. Older men teach younger men, and older women teach younger women (Titus 2).
II. Young people must:
A. Remember their creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
B. Rejoice, but remember God will bring them into judgment (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).
C. Work and take responsibility (Lamentations 3:27).
D. Submit to their elders (1 Peter 5:5).
E. Flee youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace (2 Timothy 2:22).
F. Be an example to believers, not despising their youth (1 Timothy 4:12).
G. Allow the word of God to abide in them, and overcome the wicked one (1 John 2:12-14).
III. Consider notable examples of young people.
A. Josiah did what was right in the sight of the LORD since he was 8 years old (2 Chronicles 34:1-3).
B. The rich young ruler kept the commandments since his youth, but still lacked something (Matthew 19:16-22).
C. Some admitted sin in their youth:
1) David (Psalm 25:7)
2) Job (Job 13:26)
3) Jeremiah (Jeremiah 3:25)
Conclusion
A. Whether we are young or just young at heart, we can learn a lot from the instructions and examples in the Scriptures.
B. Let us set the examples for younger people, teach them, and help them get to heaven.
C. If we are still young, let us always follow the commandments of God.
Content by Richard Dillon
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Remember God in Youth
Solomon wrote: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth; before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, `I have no delight in them’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). He knew what he was talking about.
Recent studies have shown that teens who regularly attend worship live much different lives than those who do not. Martha Sawyer Allen, in an article in the COLUMBUS DISPATCH (1-19-94), reported on the results of two major studies and a Gallup survey regarding teen religious activity. According to the studies, teens who are not active in church are almost twice as likely to have driven drunk in the past year. In addition, these same non-church-goers are almost twice as likely to be sexually active. Older teens are less likely to worship regularly than younger teens. A Gallup survey indicated that fifty-four percent of teens 13 to 15 worship regularly, while only 44 percent of teens 16 and older are regular church attenders.
Regular church attendance is probably not the only explanation for the disparity in the statistics regarding drunk driving and sexual activity. Generally, teens who worship regularly have parents who do the same. These parents, for the most part, reinforce the lessons learned at church. The home is, after all, the place where morality is most effectively taught, and the sooner parents start, the better!
I would encourage you to get in the habit of worshiping faithfully, not only for your own spiritual well-being, but for your children, too. It will make a tremendous difference in all your lives. Tragically, however, many people wait until it is too late. It is very important that you begin when you bring the baby home from the hospital. If you wait until he is a teenager to start going to church, you have waited too long.
Less than half of all American teens worship regularly, but that isn’t surprising considering the fact that less than half of the adults in this country are regular worshipers.
Get your children started on the right track. Don’t send them to church, bring them! It will make a difference.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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