Arise - The Church of Now!

(This is my 2021 submission for "Arise, A Southwest Spiritual Growth Workshop" - hosted by the Southwest church of Christ in Austin, TX)

The church is the family of God, a diverse body of believers with different strengths and weaknesses but a singular goal. Each member of the Christian family shares a loyalty to the Lord and His doctrine. With this devotion in mind, we make it our aim to prepare our children and grandchildren for involvement in kingdom work. We have often heard that young Christians will be the future of the church. I understand the sentiment, but I have to disagree with that phrasing. When young Christians only hear they are the future, they may walk away thinking they aren’t the present. If these young people are truly Christians (added by the Lord to His church), then they are meant to be active! We desire that each one would develop and mature, but we must resist the notion that only the “full-grown” are suitable for kingdom work. You’ll find no New Testament instruction for Christians to arrange themselves in a holding pattern until the time comes when they can be useful. Consider, is it reasonable to anticipate faithful Christian adults without first bringing up engaged spiritual babes and active spiritual adolescents?

Young Christian, you need to understand that your loyalty to Christ and His doctrine demands your involvement now. Your role is, in many ways, the same as that of any member of the Lord’s church. Take personal responsibility. Are you conducting yourself as the type of worshipper God is seeking (John 4:23-24; 1 Pet 2:9)? Are you sharing the message of the gospel (Mark 16:15-16; 2 Cor 4:3-6)? Are you encouraging and supporting the Christians you know, both young and old (Eph 4:29; Heb 10:24-25)? Are you relieving the hurts of those in need (Gal 6:10; Jam 1:27)? Are you adding to your faith and growing in your knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 1:5-8)? Don’t make excuses or hide behind your age. If you are old enough to comprehend and obey the gospel, then you are ready to begin meeting these obligations.

While your duties in the Lord’s service match those of older Christians, your needs and opportunities within the congregation are different. First, you should know that volunteering will fast-track your involvement and your spiritual growth. Church leaders may assume you’d rather not help out because of your age. Tell them otherwise! Request to be trained for opportunities to serve in worship and in classes. Find out about events related to personal evangelism and get involved. Offer to help with the preparation and maintenance related to church activities. Ask to accompany more experienced members on visits to sick and shut-in members. Allow your commitment to Christ to be seen in your actions. Not only will you be learning to serve, but your participation will also provide encouragement for those already in the work.

Second, refuse the common practice of only associating with people in your generational bracket–bridge the age gap! Be ready to form bonds with and emulate good mentors, remembering all the while that Christ is supreme (1 Cor 11:1; Php 3:16-17). Give your entire church family the joy of serving shoulder to shoulder with you (1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 4:11-16). You don’t yet realize the powerful morale boost provided to others when they see “youth in the truth” (2 Jn 1:4; 3 Jn 1:3-4)!

Third, consider especially the role of elders within the church family. These men are your shepherds. They are providing for your needs and watching out for your spiritual welfare (Acts 20:28; Heb 13:17). Have you been the young sheep constantly avoiding the shepherds? Your elders need to hear from you in order for them to guide you effectively and for the church to grow as God designed. Let them know your questions, ideas, struggles, and excitement. Young Christian, the church needs you to be our bright future, but what’s more we need you serving now!

Study Questions and Application

1. Read 1 Timothy 4:12. Are young Christians responsible (at least in part) for how the rest of the church views them? Give examples of conduct which might cause a young Christian to be despised (thought little of) by the church family. Next give examples of conduct which might cause them to be well-regarded by their older brothers and sisters in Christ.

2. Describe the benefits Timothy derived from his relationship with Paul (beyond his initial conversion). How might Timothy’s spiritual development have been different, if he had only associated with Christians his age? What do you think Paul gained from the bond they shared?

3. Read Titus 2:1-8. Do the things which are “proper for sound doctrine” only contain instruction to older Christians? Why do you think it is the older women who are charged with admonishing the younger women? What would be important for a young Christian who wanted to be a pattern of good works?

4. Suppose a young Christian has been leading singing on Sunday nights for a few months. He then asks one of his elders if he could lead singing for a Sunday morning worship service. The elder gently refuses the young man’s request. How should the young man respond at this point? What good or bad choices could he potentially make going forward?

5. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Looking at verse 6, we see that elders should not be novices (recent converts), lest they be puffed up with pride. Why do you think inexperience and pride might have a special connection? What would be important for a young Christian who wanted to maintain proper humility?

6. In making efforts to “bridge the age gap,” what might a Christian teen talk about with an elderly member of the church? Try to come up with several topics of discussion, both physical and spiritual (it may help to think of someone you know personally).

7. Imagine two Christians. The first is 20 years old and is taking college classes. The second is 65 years old and is retired. What advantages might each of these Christians have that is unique to them as it relates to evangelism?