When I was a teen in the youth group, life was a bit difficult as it is for so many teenagers. I was greatly involved in just about every youth group activity, but I was struggling spiritually. Every day was a battle to not give in to temptation.
By the grace of God, I never left the church and grew from those days. But my story is not an uncommon one (cf. 1 Pet. 4:12). Many of my peers had just as difficult of a time growing up, if not more so, and nevertheless grew into strong Christians. However, many of them gave in to the adversity of life and left the church.
There are many reasons why a teen might fall away. So, what is it that keeps them faithful? This isn’t something you can narrow down to one cure-all. But I know what helped me: the adult Christians in my life. I am a Christian today because certain adults took an interest in me and encouraged me to remain in the faith. We cannot imagine the power that one encouraging adult might have in a young person’s life.
I am a Christian because at least one encouraging adult truly cared about me. In his letters, Paul often reiterated his love and admiration for Timothy. In 1 Timothy 1:2, he calls him “my true son.” In 2 Timothy 1:2, it’s, “my dearly beloved son.” Paul saw Timothy as more than just some young person, he was his son. Paul spent a lot of time with Timothy, working side-by-side with him. He knew him and trusted him like no other (cf. Phil. 2:19-20). If we want to have the same kind of care for our teens, then we can’t fake it. We must spend time with them and develop that love.
I am a Christian because at least one encouraging adult believed in me. In 2 Timothy 1:5-6, Paul saw that Timothy was not living up to his full potential. Instead of berating him, Paul pushed Timothy to step up by reminding him of who Paul knew him to be. Paul said, “…when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” If we want to lift our young people up to be the Christians that God calls them to be, then we must believe they can do it! Remember, it is not by their own power but the power of God working in them (cf. Phil. 2:13).
How would the church change if every teen had one encouraging adult in their life?
