1 Timothy 4:11-13 English Standard Version

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Moving on to the youth stage of growing in Christ, let us look to these verses as an example of things that ought to be done. Youth should be encouraged to do these things in order to raise up the next generation of leaders in our churches.

This is the way that gifts can be recognized by the mature in Christ. Youth should not be encourage to name their own gifts for the immature will fancy either the glamour or shrink back behind the scenes. Both actions will lead to misidentifying the gifts that God has given. It may well be that Paul is telling Timothy in this section that he has these gifts mentioned.

Every youth leader was at one time a pupil. Talents need to be practiced to both gain confidence and proficiency. No one is a skilled orator on their first effort. Teaching can begin with children’s classes because they just graduated from that class and the lessons are still fresh in their minds. No one gets to teach the congregation without being thoroughly vetted.

Some will seek seminary school, some will operate in their gifts without a degree. Few if any will reach the level of a doctorate in theology but it they have the talent to do so, they need to be encouraged. It is a long road to follow.

I did not compare the obstacles of worldly youth with kingdom youth because for many have already had to face and overcome those obstacles before they came to Christ. Yet they continue to nag at us.

Some accept Christ at a tender age. I will not speak to things I know nothing about.

Let that sink in.