YOUTH CHALLENGES THE BIBLICAL RESPONSE

YOUTH CHALLENGES THE BIBLICAL RESPONSE

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all those things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.” Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

The Biblical response to “Youth Challenges” is for young people to be allowed to be young in a healthy and wholesome way. They should enjoy their youth and have fun. They should be allowed to be adventurous and explore the joys of life. The early years of life should be happy.

The Biblical response to “Youth Challenges” is that youth should not be given full reign of their lives. They should be informed about accountability and boundaries. They should be guided and helped as they navigate their “Youth Challenges” so they can avoid or limit “Vexation”. Young people should be eased or relieved of feelings and situations that cause them to be annoyed, frustrated, stressed and worried. The time will come when they will experience enough of these. Young people should be blessed with life that has as little “Pain” as possible. They should be protected from the “Vanity” of life while they are young.

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth…” Ecclesiastes 12:1

The Biblical response to “Youth Challenges” is for young people to know that they were created by their heavenly Father and to know that they have a loving friend in Jesus who values them tremendously. Young people need to be taught about God creating them. They need to know that God made them “Fearfully and wonderfully” Psalm 139:14. They need to know that Jesus sees them as “The greatest in the kingdom of heaven” and that He wants them “To come to” Him so He can love them and show them how special they are to Him! Matthew 18:2-3, 19:13-15   

We cannot put enough emphasis on this “Before the evil days come and the years draw near of which they say, “I have no pleasure in them…” Ecclesiastes 12:1

The Biblical response to “Youth Challenges” is for young people to know and learn about God and godliness before their life and mind is cluttered with everything else and they have no room for it. We shouldn’t wait to teach young people about God and the godliness.

Recently I asked my adult class “What helped them with their “Youth Challenges”.

The three things that seemed to be unanimous were “Having a moral compass”, “Going to Bible class and worship regularly” and “Having parents who were godly examples”.

I deeply believe that if we provide the youth of today with the same healthy and wholesome things we will better equip them to meet their “Youth Challenges” and obtain VISION 2020!