Tag: youth

Set an Example

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 21

Poetry: Psalm 100

New Testament: 1 Timothy 4

My name is Philip Kirkpatrick.  I’m 17, live in Minnesota, and attend Pine Grove Bible Church.  Some of you may have met me before and some of you may have no idea who I am.  I share this for two reasons, the first is to give those who don’t know me a little bit of background on who’s writing, and the second is because it relates to what I’m writing about.  As I was reading 1 Timothy 4, one of the verses stuck out to me.  That is verse 12,  the NIV version states:

‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.’

Considering my age and youthfulness, this verse stuck out to me.  Reading it over, it seems pretty straightforward to me.  I’m going to break this up into two parts.  The first part simply states that just because of someone’s young age, it doesn’t mean they should be looked down on.  Looking back now, I can think of times that I surprised my parents by having an answer they didn’t expect me to get, or knowing a big word and casually dropping it in the middle of a sentence.  Even today I find myself surprised at times by those younger than me when they find answers I didn’t expect or know things that I don’t.  Something to keep in mind here is that just because someone is young doesn’t mean that person doesn’t have good ideas. 

This also plays into something called a logical fallacy.  A logical fallacy is an illogical argument in its simplest form.  In this case, it’s an Ad Hominem fallacy.  This logical fallacy can be used to state that someone who may typically not have good ideas, someone young and inexperienced in this case, can’t come up with good ideas. The Ad Hominem Fallacy in other words; it is an attack against the person, not the argument or idea they are proposing.  So in the case of someone young, it’s saying you can’t dismiss it simply due to age.

The second part of this verse here tells us that we should set an example for others in 5 ways: speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.  I’m not going to dig into all those and explain them all.  Overall it can be defined by how we act.  We should act in a manner befitting a Christian.   

To the younger: set an example to the older on how to act. 

To the older: set an example to the younger on how to act. 

And to all, don’t look down on someone because of their age, listen, and consider what they have to say. 

-Philip Kirkpatrick

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you taken notice of a good example set by someone young? Have you ever been guilty of looking down on someone just because of their age?
  2. Consider each of the ways we are to set an example for believers: in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Think of times when you set an example in each of these areas. Are you strongest in one of those areas? Which ones could you work on more this week?
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Wait on You

Psalm 129-131

Today, we will be reading Psalm 129-131. I immediately resonated with Psalm 129 where the author expresses being attacked for their youth. All of us understand the feeling of being underestimated. It’s humiliating. Assumptions are made before you have the opportunity to be heard. We are placed into boxes before we get the chance to prove ourselves. Honestly, it’s frustrating. 

Isn’t it amazing that God values young minds? He is righteous. This makes him just. He is able to cut through every stereotype and see the man or woman that you are made to be. 

However, being a young mind myself, I have a tendency to be impatient. This idea takes us to Psalm 130. 

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

    Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you,

    so that you may be revered.     Psalm 130:3 

While we are bogged down by our own shortcomings and societal stereotypes, God stands for us and forgives. Instead of trying to rush my life to measure up to the world, shouldn’t I wait on the LORD? 

That is so much easier said than done. This author of Psalms says “My soul waits, and in his word I hope”. Our souls should be steady in God. As we eagerly hope for the Kingdom to come, we should have settled patience now. 

But, in this waiting, should we sit with our hands behind our backs doing absolutely nothing? Of course not. Waiting on the LORD means trusting and relying upon his wisdom in our lives, and understanding that he knows what is best for us. 

In this waiting, you can hear his voice more clearly. You can see him move in your life with clarity. Resting your heart on God means that you will be more available for him to intercede on your behalf. 

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

    like a weaned child with its mother;

    my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.  Psalm 131:2 

Allowing yourself to be filled with peace is what leads to spiritual maturity and growth. It places you one step ahead of the people who underestimate you unjustly. 

Today’s song is Wait on You by Maverick City Music. Listen to all 9 minutes and 24 seconds. It’s worth it. 

Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength… that’s what happens when you wait! 

-Leslie Jones

Read or listen to today’s Bible reading plan passages at BibleGateway.com here – Psalm 129-131 and Ezekiel 41-42

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