Prayer for Youth - Be Thou An Example of the Believers

As God sends young people into our lives, sometimes he clearly establishes a discipling relationship. But it's often hard to know where to begin - what to cover - what order to cover it. There are so many important issues, so much literature, so many variations of models for working with youth. It's overwhelming to consider how much they need and how little time we have with them.

It's helped to read Paul's instruction to young Timothy. This specific passage shows me where Paul placed the emphasis with Timothy, and reminds me of where I need to place the emplasis when working with young people in a discipling relationship.

I Timothy 4:12
"Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers
in word - in all that you say
in conversation - in your manner of life (not just your church persona)
in spirit - in how you relate to God
in faith - in trusting God
in purity - in guarding your heart (keep thy heart with all diligence)

We often associate the teen years with rebellion - we think that rebellion just comes with the territory - that they'll grow out of it. This is the world's perspective of youth. Paul's perspective is completely different, though. He's actually challenging Timothy to be an example of the believers, not an example of the rebellious world. Likewise, we should be challenging our youth to be an example of the believers

Paul challenges Timothy in five distinct areas. The first two areas (word, conversation) deal with outward actions. We should be challenging our youth to be examples of the believers in these two outward areas; their words and manner of life should identify them as a follower of Christ, not a follower of the world.

The last three areas (spirit, faith, purity) deal with the inner condition. Paul challenges Timothy to be an example of the believers with his inner life. How can we even see someone's inner life, though? We can only see the outward, right? After all, I can't see someone else's relationship with God, or their trust, or the purity of their heart. But I will eventually see the fruit of that inner condition as it works its way out into their words and manner of life.

I can see the fruit of a relationship with God as they become more and more like Christ. I can see the fruit of their faith in God as they trust God in their decisions and course in life. I can see the fruit of their purity of heart as it works its way out into their lives, making them more and more "pilgrims and strangers" in this world.

So where to start when discipling young believers? Start with challenging them to be an example of the believers. And while we're at it, let's challenge ourselves...