INTRODUCTION

1. The season of youth lays the foundation and sets the direction for the other season of life.

2. Therefore, it is important that young people remember their Creator in the days of their youth (Eccl. 12:1) in order to make wise choices.  With this in mind, this lesson is directed to young people who are entering adulthood.

    

ADVICE TO THE YOUNG

1. Be a part of the church wherever you go.

   1. Be active in the local church wherever you are, and don't get lost between churches. 

      1. Many times when young people leave home for college, they don't identify with the church in their college town.  They are no longer a regular part of the church in their hometown, but they are also not part of the church in their new town.

      2. Consider the example of Paul, who sought the association of his fellow disciples of Christ when he came to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26).  Likewise, any Christian, whether young or old, should seek out other Christians wherever he goes.

   2. Choose your flock, and be considerate of the elders who oversee your soul.

      1. Elders are required to shepherd the flock of God among them (1Pet. 5:2).  They can no longer oversee young people who have gone away to college.  Likewise, elders in college towns cannot oversee young people who do not join themselves to the flock.

      2. Keep in mind Hebrews 13:17, which says, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."

2. As you gain more independence, be determined to govern and discipline yourself.

   1. If you move away from your parents' discipline, then you must discipline yourself.

      1. This applies to many issues like money management, study habits, and punctuality, but it is most important concerning morality.

      2. Let the word of God govern all that you do.  Notice Psalm 119:9:

         How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Your word.

      3. Set godly goals, and discipline yourself to achieve them. Consider 1Corinthians 9:25-27:

         ²⁵Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  ²⁶Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; ²⁷but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

      4. Learn self-control (Gal. 5:23; 2Pet. 1:6).  Often, this means delaying or altogether denying self-gratification.

   2. Here are some specific areas where you must exercise self-control.

      1. You must govern your own use of the internet and other media.  Make this decision now: Even when no one else knows what you are watching or reading, you will abstain from pornography and other ungodly images or messages.

      2. You must control yourself in relationships.  Do not allow lust to control you.  If you lack self-control, then get married (1Cor. 7:9).  If you are not ready for marriage, then avoid the situation altogether.

      3. "Flee immorality" (1Cor. 6:18), and "flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" (2Tim. 2:22).

      4. Resist sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, and drinking parties (1Pet. 4:3).  Even when others "are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you" (1Pet. 4:4), do not yield to them in any way.

3. Take ownership of your faith and be responsible for it.

   1. It is not your parents' or anyone else's faith, but it is your own.  You have been taught the truth of God's word from youth, but now you must own it. Notice 2Timothy 3:14-17:

      ¹⁴You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  ¹⁶All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

   2. Show the ownership of your faith by your behavior. Notice these passages:

      1. 1Timothy 4:12-13, 15 -- ¹²Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.  ¹³Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching...¹⁵Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

      2. 1Peter 2:11-12 -- ¹¹Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.  ¹²Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

   3. Be ready to defend your faith against attacks from college professors, coworkers, employers, and even your friends. Stubbornly refuse to yield your faith to anyone.

      1. Decide now that you will uphold the faith regardless of ridicule, insults, or threats.  Notice 1Peter 3:14-15:

         ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.  And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, ¹⁵but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence...

      2. Don't be naïve as you walk through the world.  Don't allow anyone to deceive you through craftiness or influential words. Consider the Lord's advice in Matthew 10:16:

         "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves."

      3. Young people, you have overcome the evil one, you are strong, and the word of God abides in you (1John 2:13-14).  Don't be afraid to fight the good fight (1Tim. 6:12).

4. Set your priorities on the things of God now, and keep those priorities in all that you do.

   1. Make the right choice about what matters most to you. Consider Matthew 6:19-21:

      ¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

   2. Set your priorities according to your faithful and righteous decision.  Notice Matthew 6:33

      "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

   3. Let this decision and these priorities govern you for the rest of your life.

      1. If you are considering leaving home, is it for a godly reason?  For example, are you leaving your father and mother to cling to a spouse (Gen. 2:24)?

      2. If you are involved in a relationship with the opposite sex, can it lead to marriage?  If not, then what is the purpose?  Would this other person be a godly spouse (Eph. 5:22-33)?

      3. Do you want to have children?  Prepare yourself to raise them.  Many decisions you make in your youth will affect your children.

      4. Don't bury yourself under an oppressive mound of debt.  If you do, then you will put yourself in financial bondage, and compromise your future (Prov. 22:7).

   4. Overcome the greed and materialism of this world.

      1. You don't have to buy everything the world is selling.  The newest cars, houses, and electronic devices will not give your life a richer meaning.

      2. Believe this: "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:15).

      3. When you get married, learn now to live on one income, and young men learn to provide for your own (1Tim. 5:4, 8).  It is the only way mothers can stay home with children (1Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:5).

5. Do away with childish things.

   1. Consider this verse carefully: "When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things" (1Cor. 13:11).

   2. You are either grown up now, or else you will be soon. Therefore, put away childish behaviors, habits, thoughts, words, dependencies, and expectations.  Assume the traits of an adult.