Category: Youth

“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 in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity” ( Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).

This text clearly indicates God’s expectation and desire that we enjoy our time here on the earth. He does not require on principle for us to suffer. In this particular context, He shows that the times of our youth are to be greatly treasured. Follow your passions and interests, and have fun!

However, consider this one statement of warning. “But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” This establishes two important truths. First, God expects faithfulness to Him above all things. Second, you don’t have to be worldly to enjoy your life on the earth. This is the devil’s lie. The end of sin is destruction and death, not fun and frolic!

There is no value in sowing your wild oats, or following your own heart into sin. A life lived without God is a life of vanity and ruin. God does not want that for you in this life or in eternity! Serving God both brings joy and is “man’s all” (12:13).

The first 8 verses of the  12th chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes contains an admonition to “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’”

Youth is a time of joy, vitality and physical prosperity. The days of the young are the halcyon (idyllically happy and peaceful) days of our lives. They are also the days where decisions can be made and actions can be taken that can make one’s older years a time of unhappiness and loss. Now is the time to turn to God.

As a part of the chapter, a description is given of old age. Those who have lived for decades will be able to relate. For example, verses 1 and 2 speak of evil and dark days without pleasure. With age comes wisdom, but also with a realization of the flawed nature of our earthly existence. We are weighed down by the burdens of life, our lives include the drudgery of heavy responsibilities and the cares of life. These are things of which the young are blissfully unaware. Continue reading “Remember Your Creator While Young” →

Josiah was as good a man and king as his father Amon was bad. We can learn from both of their examples. Lessons of accountability, priorities, youth and influence are found in the narrative of their lives and reigns.

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There are many pitfalls that may befall a young person who is not sufficiently spiritually minded. The sermon considers 10 such dangers.

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The book of Ecclesiastes contains several miscellaneous words of wisdom in its pages that have beneficial applications to the Christian’s life.

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Spring Meeting 2014: Kyle Campbell

The sermon discusses things that a young person needs to know before being baptized, including what makes one a proper candidate for baptism, what it means to be a Christian, and why one should become a Christian.

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Northland College principal John Tapene has offered the following words from a judge who regularly deals with youth. “Always we hear the cry from teenagers, ‘What can we do, where can we go?’

“My answer is this: Go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook, build a raft, get a job, visit the sick, study your lessons, and when you’ve finished, read a book. Your town does not owe you recreational activities, and your parents do not owe you fun.

“The world does not owe you a living, you owe the world something. You owe it your time, energy and talent so that no one will be at war, in sickness and lonely again. In other words, grow up, quit being a cry baby, get out of your dream world, and develop a backbone not a wishbone. Start behaving like a responsible person. You are important and you are needed. It’s too late to sit around and wait for somebody to do something someday. Someday is now and that somebody is you!”

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The teen years are wonderful years in any young person’s life. Teenagers should be allowed to have fun, and enjoy their adolescence. However, even the young can and should be serious minded and trustworthy. This is especially important spiritually. As Paul wrote Titus, “Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:6-8).

In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul exhorted Timothy (as a young man), to be an example to believers. This sermon examines what Paul expected of his son in the faith.

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First lesson in a series of four consisting of a survey of 1 Timothy. This lesson consists of the character that should be present in the lives of a young evangelist.

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This second sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 contains a special challenge to young people to live a life worthy of your call as a Christian.

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The sermon discusses a number of practical suggestions regarding prayer, study and personal conviction that will benefit any Christian, but especially those who are young, and young in the faith.

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Rehoboam lost his kingdom (1 Kings 12), because he listened to ungodly companions. The preacher warned his son of ungodly influences in Proverbs 1:10-19. Christian young people should be aware that “evil companions corrupt good morals.”

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Recently our church received in the mail an invitation to a beach party for area college students, hosted by the Altamesa Church of Christ, College Ministry. The brochure read:

Activities include: 3 Beach Volleyball courts (bring your own team of 6 people), Tug-of-War, Frisbee Throw, Bocce Ball, and more! Come for fellowship, Devotional, Burgers and Roast Pig! Excellent opportunity to meet new friends for the summer!

The brochure went on to mention that the singing group “The Light” from ACU would be performing, asked for an R.S.V.P. to the Church office, and informed that the church would be charging $8 per person for the event.

Continue reading “A Disturbing Trend” →

AOTS Number 46

We talk about the younger generation, asking, “Where will it end?” But, often the problems with youth come because the adults have failed to raise them properly!

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