THE POWERFUL INFLUENCE OF YOUTH

Titus 2:6-8

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and sociologists agree that young people are the most generally vulnerable classification in society. The reason is that for young people the world has yet to be learned well. As a result, worldly people are better able to do harm toward our youth than to those of us who have been around the block a time or two (cf. Eph. 4:14-15). There is, nevertheless, a power that young people have in influence that accomplishes, at times, much more than older people can. Let us investigate this powerful influence to see how young people might maximize their special potential.

Scriptures To Consider:

1. Titus 2:6-8.

2. Matthew 18:1-4.

3. I Timothy 4:12.

4. I Peter 5:5.

Conclusions We Can Draw:

1. Convicted young people are both disarming in their influence on adults and possess a presence with their peers when they are most readily influenced.

2. It is to be commonly expected that Christian young people live in a way that will place them above reproach.

3. Constructive deeds of service are not to be put off for later years.

4. A respectful demeanor is to characterize a young person’s relationship with an older person.

Applications For Young People:

1. Young people are to be sensible.

2. They are to be involved in doing good things.

3. They are be examples in such things as love, faith, and purity.

4. They are to be sound in speech and beyond reproach.

5. They are to be doctrinally sound.

6. They should have a disarming innocence about them.

7. They are to respect their elders.

When young people develop sufficient conviction to cause them to lead exemplary lives, their influence has a special power. This is a difficult and challenging expectation, but one that offers marvelous rewards. Young people who are strong in the things of Christ are able to reach adults and their peers in ways that can accomplish much good.

ESJ

6/11/00