Day 16

Many of the great movements of God start through young people.

‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.’ (1 Timothy 4:12)

We don’t usually look to young people to set an example. We expect that of older people. But Paul tells Timothy to, ‘set an example to believers, and don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age.’

The Church of Jesus Christ should model intergenerational relationships of mutual respect and love. The younger should certainly learn from older, but the older have a lot to learn from the younger too. The older we get, the easier we settle for the status quo and the quiet life. Young people want to be bold and adventurous, and so they should. They will learn from their mistakes, but let them make their mistakes and let’s champion them along the way. It is young people who teach us to ‘attempt great things for God, and to expect great things from God,’ to quote C.T. Studd, the great pioneer missionary.It’s interesting that Paul tells Timothy as a young man to set an example in ‘speech, conduct, love, faith’ and quite remarkably, ‘in purity’ – yes, purity (1 Timothy 4:12). In our youth, the seeds of either purity or impurity dictate our spiritual health when we are old – as many older people know.

If you are young, be an example. If you are older, respect and learn from youth.