This week I am with our youth at Rush.  It is a summer conference led by students for students.  I am always impressed with how students speak, lead small groups, lead the mission projects, and worship.  They also do all of the behind the scenes support roles as well.  Watching the kickoff last night I was reflecting on the following passage from I Timothy.  Let’s look at it together today.

Command and teach these things. 12 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. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

This was written by Paul to encourage Timothy, a young man to be bold in his faith and leadership.  The reality is while this passage is appropriate for what is going on at the conference I am at, it also applies to all of us “older” folks as well.  We need to be bold in using our gifts, setting an example, and persevering in our faith.  Please pray for the 42 young folks at this conference this week (well 41 plus an old guy that looks a lot like me) I pray that our students’ young faith would be an encouragement to you.  I know it certainly is to me.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave