Goals for Youth Ministry

Posted 4/23/2001

Youth in the Bible | Conclusions

What does the Bible say about young people?

  1. Their hearts' imaginations are evil ge 8:21
  2. They can be honorable ge 34:19
  3. Joseph's exemplary young life as brother, servant, prisoner, and ruler ge 41:12
  4. Joshua's devotion for the house of God, and trust to take the land ex 33:11
  5. Spied out Jericho jos 6:23
  6. Fearful to kill jud 8:20
  7. Armorbearers jud 9:54
  8. They party and feast, like Samson jud 14:10
  9. Ruth didn't follow after young men, but was very kind ru 3:10
  10. Their sin stinks to God 1sa 2:17
  11. Forced to work 1sa 8:16
  12. Saul was a young king 1sa 9:2
  13. David was a young challenger to Goliath 1sa 17:42
  14. Messengers 1sa 25:5
  15. Keep watch 2sa 13:34
  16. Rebel like Absalom 2sa 14:21
  17. Valiant and industrious like Jeroboam 1ki 11:28
  18. Give awful counsel 1ki 12:8
  19. Frequent targets in battle 2ki 8:12
  20. Weak like Rehoboam 2chr 13:7
  21. Seek God like Josiah 2chr 34:3
  22. For the pleasure of kings es 2:3
  23. Care for orphans and widows job 31:18
  24. Sinners ps 25:7
  25. Trust the Lord God ps 71:5
  26. Learn from God ps 71:17
  27. Declare God's wonderful works ps 71:17
  28. Despondent ps 88:15
  29. Grow prematurely old ps 89:45
  30. Cleansed by heeding God's Word ps 119:9
  31. Deal with persecution ps 129:2
  32. Strong, fruitful, dependable, polished ps 144:12
  33. Can gain knowledge and discretion pr 1:4
  34. Enjoy their spouses pr 5:18
  35. Can be completely lacking understanding pr 7:7
  36. Glory in their strength pr 20:29
  37. Joyful, cheerful, happy-go-lucky ec 11:9
  38. Will tire and fall if they don't wait on the Lord isa 40:30
  39. Can bear the heavy loads la 3:27
  40. Make music la 5:14
  41. See visions joe 2:28
  42. Faithfully keep rules, as the young (but rich) ruler mt 19:20
  43. Free to move about on their own joh 21:18
  44. Affect much action, like Saul at Stephen's stoning act 7:58
  45. Can be excellent examples in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity 1ti 4:12
  46. Are tempted with lusts 2ti 2:22
  47. Ought to be sober and loving tit 2:4
  48. Can overcome the wicked one 1jo 2:13
  49. Are strong in faith and in the Word of God 1jo 2:14

Conclusions

  1. Youth are by nature sinful, but have a wonderful amount of potential for service. They need to be taught the wisdom of God, and have the energy to accomplish great things for Him.
  2. They can be gullible or wise, foolish or considerate, close or far from God.
  3. Some targets to shoot for:
    1. Faithfulness
    2. Devotion to God
    3. Kindness
    4. Hard workers
    5. Boldness
    6. Reliable
    7. Industrious
    8. Crave God
    9. Considerate of those less fortunate
    10. Trust God
    11. Learn from God
    12. Praise God
    13. Heed God
    14. Endure persecution
    15. Strong
    16. Fruitful
    17. Dependable
    18. Beautiful to God
    19. Content
    20. Joyful
    21. Cheerful
    22. Make an impact
    23. Sober
    24. Overcomers
    25. Strong faith
    26. Are full of the Word of God

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