Youth

Young and Strong, Part 2

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11Command and teach these things. 12Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.  1 Timothy 4:11-16

Sometimes we treat “youth” as an excuse for excess and for sin. So you are young and strong!? These are the days in which your process of digging a deep foundation for your life in the Gospel will open the way for you to lead and serve others. “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.”

Paul wants Timothy to continue in his pastoral assignment in Ephesus without succumbing to a “I’m young” or “You are so young” point of view. Leadership under the grace of God is possible even as a young person. So Paul commends Timothy to keep a high view of himself because of the Gospel. Not just a high view of self-respect and self-leadership but also a large view of the character Jesus will reveal through his speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.

Timothy’s authority for leadership would not be his just because he had been given a position. The authority for the Gospel ministry came from the Scripture, so Paul tells him to “devote himself to the public reading of Scripture.” The power of the ministry wasn’t just his own power; it came from the gift of the Holy Spirit recognized and called out in the leadership of the Church. But, it is Timothy’s character being built by Christ that will  ultimately yield the lasting fruit. So, Paul tells this young and strong leader: watch your life and doctrine, for by so doing you save both yourself and your hearers.”

Keep a close watch on your life.  Keep a close watch on the content of your teaching.

Young and Strong, Part 1

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7Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:7-10

So you’re young and strong. What to do with your time and strength? Just hit the gym and the books? No. Paul encourages Timothy not to miss the opportunity his youth provides to train himself for godliness.

Godliness is strength of character. Its becoming like God as revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Character has been described as hardened habits. Habits are formed by repeated little decisions.

Godliness is the capacity to speak the language of truth and grace. Godliness is the capacity to be who God intends you to be with Him and in community. Godliness has its wisdom. Godliness lasts. It has value for today and for the future. Godliness forms because of our hope for life and reality is set on the living God. Jesus the King positions our hope so that Life and how we live today as His Church really does matter… forever.

How to training yourself for godliness?

On your own:
Stick close to Jesus. Access His grace over and over through repentance and belief. Make decisions in response to Him and His Gospel. Bear up under the struggle and temptations heightened through your adjustments to obey Him trusting that He is still shaping you. Dive deep into the Gospel immersing yourself into the communion of God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Together with the church:
Celebrate God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Exercise your gifts. Develop responsive intentionality as a disciple-maker. Serve sacrificially. Live the “one-anothers.” Bear up under the struggle to keep maturing in Christ emotionally, mentally, and socially without losing hope. To lose this hope in Christ, who shows us the mystery of godliness, is to lose our way; its to slide into the ditches of legalism or license. So, become fluent in the Gospel of God’s grace. Love.

Youth ~ Key Verses — GLORIFYTHELORD

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“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”  1 Timothy 4:2 NLT

Well I keep getting older and these verses continue to inspire and encourage me!  In the Disciple-Making journey we are to always be sharing the Gospel life with those who are younger / newer in the faith than we are.  However, sometimes we will get to share this life with those who are older too, even in age.

As a follower of Jesus, “youth” is never an excuse for behaving badly.

Paul lived with the motto, “imitate me.”  So to, we are to have that internal mindset.  Someone else may be inspired to receive Jesus’ grace because of the way we live.

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”  1 Timothy 4:2  NLT