Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Spirituality of Youth in the Modern
Age
Priya Kolath (Kochamma)
MTC of Baltimore, MD
12 Let no one despise your
youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in
faith, in purity.
After Paul left Timothy as the leader of the church in Ephesus, Paul provides instructions to Timothy for being a good servant of Christ. During this time, Timothy is believed to be in his late 20s or mid 30s. While emphasizing the need for being grounded in the Word and continuing to teach the Word, Paul focuses on the importance of ensuring that the Gospel is transforming our hearts, which is reflected in a change in our behavior.
As youths in the church, God has provided us many opportunities to learn the Word of God through Sunday School, Youth bible studies, conferences, etc. The teachings that we receive are to transform us, mold us, and shape us to become more like Christ. This involves a change in our hearts that leads to a change in our behavior. This transformation is true evidence of our faith. Joshua, Josiah, David, and the little boy with five loaves and two fish, were all young people whose heart and behavior reflected their faith, and were mightily used by God. As we hear messages, go to bible studies, have personal devotions, attend prayer meetings, and go to conferences, is it changing our hearts, and through it our behavior?
As youths of the modern age, we too can set an example if we allow the Gospel to continually change our hearts, and through it our behavior, such that it reflects Christ. Let’s ask the Lord to help us identify the next practical step we need to take to move towards this, and to make that change with the help of the Holy Spirit. Paul focuses on some specific areas of behavior:
Speech - Perhaps it’s changing my speech to be loving and God honoring. Are the words of my mouth building others up, or tearing them down?
Conduct - Maybe it’s changing my conduct to have a better attitude, or to stop going to places that entice me to sin, or to seek Godly friendships that can help me walk in God’s ways, or to listen to music that fills my mind with thoughts that God approves of.
Love - Could it be I am to love someone who has hurt me or wronged me, or to share with the poor, or to obey God’s direction/leading in our lives?
Faith - Perhaps it’s believing in God’s provision and plan during difficult circumstances, and even when God seems silent.
Purity - Or maybe it’s making the changes necessary to build relationships that are committed to the level of purity that honors God.
By the grace of God, and the help of the Spirit of God, as youths of the modern age, let’s “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
After Paul left Timothy as the leader of the church in Ephesus, Paul provides instructions to Timothy for being a good servant of Christ. During this time, Timothy is believed to be in his late 20s or mid 30s. While emphasizing the need for being grounded in the Word and continuing to teach the Word, Paul focuses on the importance of ensuring that the Gospel is transforming our hearts, which is reflected in a change in our behavior.
As youths in the church, God has provided us many opportunities to learn the Word of God through Sunday School, Youth bible studies, conferences, etc. The teachings that we receive are to transform us, mold us, and shape us to become more like Christ. This involves a change in our hearts that leads to a change in our behavior. This transformation is true evidence of our faith. Joshua, Josiah, David, and the little boy with five loaves and two fish, were all young people whose heart and behavior reflected their faith, and were mightily used by God. As we hear messages, go to bible studies, have personal devotions, attend prayer meetings, and go to conferences, is it changing our hearts, and through it our behavior?
As youths of the modern age, we too can set an example if we allow the Gospel to continually change our hearts, and through it our behavior, such that it reflects Christ. Let’s ask the Lord to help us identify the next practical step we need to take to move towards this, and to make that change with the help of the Holy Spirit. Paul focuses on some specific areas of behavior:
Speech - Perhaps it’s changing my speech to be loving and God honoring. Are the words of my mouth building others up, or tearing them down?
Conduct - Maybe it’s changing my conduct to have a better attitude, or to stop going to places that entice me to sin, or to seek Godly friendships that can help me walk in God’s ways, or to listen to music that fills my mind with thoughts that God approves of.
Love - Could it be I am to love someone who has hurt me or wronged me, or to share with the poor, or to obey God’s direction/leading in our lives?
Faith - Perhaps it’s believing in God’s provision and plan during difficult circumstances, and even when God seems silent.
Purity - Or maybe it’s making the changes necessary to build relationships that are committed to the level of purity that honors God.
By the grace of God, and the help of the Spirit of God, as youths of the modern age, let’s “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
PRAYER
Dear God, please allow
the Gospel to change my behavior, and show me the specific areas where that is
needed. Amen
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Those who are saved by grace through faith are continuously shaped by His Spirit, in heart, in motivations, and in behavior.
Those who are saved by grace through faith are continuously shaped by His Spirit, in heart, in motivations, and in behavior.