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An Example For the Believers
Paul wrote to the young evangelist Timothy that he should be an example: 1 Timothy 4:12 “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.” NIV
Paul wrote to Timothy as a minister of the gospel, but the concepts apply to all Christians (cf. Philippians 3:15-17) and especially to younger Christians.
God has often used young people to accomplish great things:
• Joseph was delivered into slavery as a youth and used that challenge to save his family.
• Josiah began to seriously seek God at 16 and began to purge Judah of idolatry at age 20.
• Jeremiah tried to convince God he was too young, but God used him in spite of his age.
• Daniel purposed in his heart to serve God, despite pressure from powerful people.
• Mary was faced with the incredible challenge of being a young, pregnant, virgin bride.
• Timothy became a Gospel preacher because of the solid training in his youth.
Teaching the High School class, I realized that I’ve been a Christian longer than these kids have been alive, yet they are teaching me daily through their examples. They “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” They set an example - a pattern - for other believers to follow. They love the word. They live the word.
SPEECH - Christians should set an example of speaking the truth with grace (cf. Ep 4:29, 31; 5:4, 12, Co 4:6, and Lk 4:22). I challenged the class to reconcile the free will and the Calvinist view of unconditional election in the context of God selecting Jeremiah before birth (Jeremiah 1:5). A young man answered with simplicity and clarity. “There’s a big difference between being chosen to do a job and being chosen to go to heaven or hell. If God has a job that He wants done, ask Jonah how that works out, but nowhere does the Bible talk about God sending someone to heaven or hell without judging that person’s life and decisions.” I was equally impressed by a young lady’s answer to my question, “At what age are you an adult/not a child?” Her answer was: “I don’t think there is a specific age. It depends on when I stop acting like a goofball. But if I act like a child, I am not a grown up.” The phrase “they should make a movie about this” has been said so many times that I realize “adult” Bible study can be more detached at times than it should be. Our attitude, like theirs, should show that the word is our “joy and heart's delight” (Jeremiah 15:16). The word is living and active, and it should impact us deeply (cf. Hebrews 4:12). Studying the word should create excitement, like I see in these young people (cf. Psalm 119).
CONDUCT - It’s said that we may be the only Bible some people may read. And it is also true that our actions speak louder than our words. A fellow deacon bumped into one of our young ladies at a Starbuck’s recently. She and a group of friends he did not recognize sat down and...opened their Bibles. Caught red-handed having a Bible study to see if what they’ve heard and learned is true (Acts 17:11). What an encouraging and mature example.
LOVE - Young people are to be an example in agape, "brotherly affection, good will, benevolence" (Thayer). Each week, several of our classes write notes to those experiencing hard times. These notes mean so much to those receiving them. Sharing in another’s challenges helps fulfill the law of Christ (cf. Galatians 6:2). They write thank you notes to the teachers, encouraging them for their good work (cf. Hebrew 10:24).
FAITH - Faith refers to the belief one has in God and the faithfulness/fidelity of one's character (Strong’s). Both should be true of Christians: strong faith in God and Christ (Hebrews 11:6) and faithful, dependable character (I Corinthians 4:2); each is true of our young people. A glance through our directory shows that many of our young people have obedient faith in Christ. Like young Daniel, they have purposed in their hearts to live in a godly way (Daniel 1:8). They show up, sit up front, pay attention, and take notes. They participate. The articles recently written by our young men are excellent encouragement.
PURITY - Christians are to "flee youthful lusts" and "pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace...” (cf. 2 Timothy 2:22). No one other than Christ lives a perfect life, but our young people show dedication to living pure lives. I see selflessness and devotion, when they show up in overwhelming numbers on work days. When assemblies end, there is no dash for the doors to get out of church and back to their “real lives.” Devo nights are the only time I see them rush out…when they are eager to spend more time studying and fellowshipping with each other.
PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS AND ADMONITIONS
YOUNG PEOPLE: Don’t set low expectations for what you may accomplish for Christ. Don’t postpone being fruitful because you are “only a youth.”
“Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.” (Jere 1:6-7)
Like Timothy, “be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim 4:15-16). Love the word. Live the word. Set an example for others to follow. You are doing it. Keep doing it.
PARENTS AND ALL WHO LOVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE: The rich young ruler was a compliant rule-keeper since his youth, but he lacked true faith (Mt 19:16-23, Mk 10:17-22, and Lk 18:18-23). Jesus said he lacked one thing: “Sell what you have, give it to the poor, and follow me” (Mk 10:21). He was a good rule-keeper, who never learned a selfless love for God. Godly parenting is more than raising compliant, rule-keeping kids. It is gospel-filled living and teaching that shows a selfless love for God and Christ. Train your children (Ephesians. 6:4, 2 Timothy 1:3-5 & 2 Timothy 3:14-15). Show them that the gospel not only brings us to a Christian life but also shapes and sustains godly living through your own example of speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Love the word, live the word, and so teach your children until Christ and Heaven become their treasure. You are doing it. Keep doing it.
FOR ALL OF US: Set an example for them to follow. Love the word, so they will love the word. Live the word, so they will live the word. Don’t look down on them because of their youth, but encourage them. You are doing it. Keep doing it.
Eric Hellinger
