Generational Perspectives (pt. 2)
The second half of our study last Sunday took us to 1 Timothy 4:12-5:2. That first verse (v. 12) acknowledges what is a natural inclination, younger leaders are very often looked upon with doubt by those of more mature generations. That is not unreasonable as wisdom and experience come with time. Yet Paul's admonition is this: make it be about your character, not your age.
Paul goes on to say (in v. 14) "Don't neglect {your} gift". A natural tendency in light of being taken lightly is to give up and walk away.
As members of the younger generation you have much to offer. Hear Paul's challenge: make it about character not age, and then share what you have to offer, because it is God who has given your giftedness and your passion to the church.
Paul goes on to say (in v. 14) "Don't neglect {your} gift". A natural tendency in light of being taken lightly is to give up and walk away.
As members of the younger generation you have much to offer. Hear Paul's challenge: make it about character not age, and then share what you have to offer, because it is God who has given your giftedness and your passion to the church.
2 Comments:
Do you think there is a difference in being young in physical years or being young in the faith? My question is based on when a "new" Believer should be a part of minsitry... well, not even just ministry because I do think there are things very young/immature believers can do. My perspective is coming from Bosnia where someone from my team asked a Bosnian to teach our women's bible study after she had only been a Beliver for a couple months, and was not really growing in her faith... by giving her that "power" in the bible study so early on, she became very spirtitually snobby to other people, and basically felt she "knew it all" in regards to not haing to study her bible for herself anymore... did any of that make sense???
By LeAnne, at 2/23/2006 10:08 AM
Leanne,
VERY good point... this has to be balanced with the warnings not to lay hands quickly on a person for ministry.
Contrast to people who came to faith about the same time, BJ Thomas and Charles Colson.
Thomas very quickly released a spiritual tell-all and a Contemporary Christian album (I liked the album :) ).
Colson was taken aside by RC Sproul and others. He was counselled not to be hasty in speaking out about his faith, but to sit and let it nurture.
In the "Compare and Contrast" department ... which had staying power?
Too simple an example, of course, lots of other things come to mind .... but instructive nonetheless.
D--
By Higher Up, Further In, at 2/23/2006 2:43 PM
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