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While reading Proverbs chapter 1 the other day, this verse (v. 4), in which Solomon shares his purpose for writing the Proverbs, just jumped off the page to me: "To give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion." I remember my teenage days in church. At one church, the youth all sat in one section and goofed off during the entire service. Once I sat with them rather than with my family where I usually sat (and was expected to listen), and I couldn’t concentrate on the message whatsoever. The other teens were constantly trying to talk, whisper, play games, and just goof around. They had no interest in the message, though I hope they did have an interest in the Lord. But where was the evidence? At another church, the youth group was utterly dysfunctional with kids getting in trouble for promiscuous behavior and drug dealing. I didn’t know about this until later, but I can tell you that the Bible teaching was scarce because the leaders didn’t expect the kids to listen (which they didn’t, following expectations). I got to the point where I hated going to the youth groups because I wanted to be among youth that were serious about God, about trying to get some sound teaching, and about learning wisdom and how to live this life for the Lord. I don’t say this to brag upon myself, for I had my own struggles, fears, and insecurities. My point is simply to say, generally speaking, young people in today’s churches need more than we are giving them. They need higher expectations, firmer discipline, more purposeful instruction in the Word, and more opportunities to use their God-given energy and talents. Sadly, teenagers have often been relegated as rebellious, a nuisance, and uninterested in the things of God. So we simply entertain them and tickle their ears, doing just enough to make church a social hour to keep them out of trouble for a short time. Friends, this is not as good as it gets, and let’s turn to the Bible to prove this point.

Joshua was the servant of Moses from his youth, and we know that Joshua came to be a great and godly leader (Numbers 11:28). Josiah inherited the kingdom of Judah at a mere eight years of age (2 Kings 22:1). When he was sixteen, he sought God and began to reform the nation (2 Chronicles 34:3-7). How about David? He was but a youth when he challenged the giant Goliath and stood for Jehovah against an entire pagan nation and before his own nation’s frightened king and army. In 1 Samuel 17:33, we read the words of the king of Israel to David: "Then Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.’" Indeed, the attitude that young people are "not able" was around even back then. Saul ignored David, Samuel (a righteous man of God) didn’t expect God to choose him to be king (1 Samuel 16:1-12), and Goliath ridiculed him. 1 Samuel 17:44 says, "When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance." Yet we know how the story unfolded. God worked through this young man’s faith and courage as he fought for Jehovah and not for himself such that he slew Goliath and started to win the favor of the people. He would eventually take over as king in God’s timing. What a powerful and vivid lesson as to the relevance and value of serving God in our youth! Had David not stood up against Goliath, much would be different in Israel’s history. But he, a mere lad, took on the challenge before him because he believed God had a purpose for him and couldn’t figure out why the rest of the grown men of the nation balked and cowered in fear. This was shameful to God, and David would have none of it. So he stepped up to the plate and did what the grownups were failing to do.

So the answer when it comes to dealing with our youth is two-fold. One, as parents and adults, we must raise our expectations for teens and encourage them to take on responsibility in serving the Lord. We should work to teach them through the Scriptures rather than dumbing them down through various programs and overly elemental study guides. Second, young people must be willing to take a step of faith. Nobody pushed David into fighting Goliath. He did it because he feared God. Thus, those young people who want to grow must find a way to separate themselves from the nonsense and rebellion and to get into the Word and grow. It will take courage, and it may well be a lonely road. But it is right and worth it.

Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, saying, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." The assumption was that people wouldn’t respect Timothy because he was relatively young despite his knowledge of Scripture and ability to shepherd the flock. Paul’s admonition to him was simply not to bend to the ridicule of others but to fulfill his calling by living out a godly life before them. All he could do was be an example of what youth could be and do.

So the message to our youth is clear: be and do what God expects you to be and do, even if no one else expects it from you and even if no one else is leading you in the right direction. Take courage, be strong in the Lord, and study His Word. Be an example of a young person who knows God’s Word and who possesses sound judgment in his or her decision making. It is possible and desirable. May we as adults do our part to encourage this development, growth, and service for the kingdom, and may God harvest the energy and strength of young people to do His work.

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

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