AGMC Youth Sunday

1 Samuel 17:33–37 NIV

33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

1 Samuel 17:33-

Ecclesiastes 11:7–10 NIV

7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. 8 However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless. 9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. 10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:1 NIV

9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. 10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless. 1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—

Introduction

Understanding the youth today. We always say “the youth of today is the future of tomorrow”, but we do not work enough to build our tomorrow. We thought the tomorrow will come by itself.

Understanding the youth today

Worldwide, Many churches are facing the problem of dropping in the number of youth. Many youths no longer find the church or religious living relevant their lives. the problem becomes more obvious when they turn into young adults, because now they see themselves as an adult who is free from parents, they can make any decision on their own.

There was a reseeacrch survery done In 2017 by LifeWay Research survey , 66 percent of Americans between 23 and 30 years old said they stopped attending church on a regular basis for at least a year after turning 18

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/january/church-drop-out-college-young-adults-hiatus-lifeway-survey.html

youtube: why do young people drop out a church.

What do we see here? we see a problem, but we also see a hope - young poeple needs guidance.

Being a parent, or an adult with youths in our family, what can we help?

Understand their struggle/help them in the search of life

significance of mentioning ‘youth’ at the end of Ecclesiastes as a conclusion - after spending 10 chapters on talking on the vanity of life. This section （11:7-12:7） is in two parts: counsel to youth and a poem on aging and death

Understand their struggle/help them in the search of life

Garrett, D. A. (1998). The Poetic and Wisdom Books. In D. S. Dockery (Ed.), Holman concise Bible commentary (p. 250). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

1) Rejoice - their life’s enjoyment with consequential view (v9)

hedonism. many youths see their ultimate goal as enjoyment. Joy is part of life that God intends for us, as the goodness of life in verse 7 is portrayed by light, which denotes “joy, blessing and life”. It is being joyfully alive (cf. ; ). ‘Since life is not … truly life unless it can be enjoyed, “light” often designates the pleasures of life.

Joy is to be controlled by the knowledge of God’s judgment. But while man thankfully enjoys life, “let him remember” it will not last for ever. The “many days of darkness,” that is, the unseen world (, ; ), also days of “evil” in this world (), are coming; therefore sow the good seed while life and good days last, which are not too long for accomplishing life’s duties.

youth—distinct Hebrew words, adolescence or boyhood (before ), and full-grown youth. It marks the gradual progress in self-indulgence, to which the young especially are prone; they see the roses, but do not discover the thorns, until pierced by them.

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 413). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Eaton, M. A. (1983). Ecclesiastes: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 18, p. 164). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

the occasion given for joy has its reason in this, that a man ought to rejoice, viz., according to God’s arrangement and ordinance: the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun; for it ought thus to be, that a man, however long he may live, should continue to enjoy his fair life, especially in view of the night which awaits him

YOLO. the call to the youthful enjoyment of life is accompanied with the nota bene: but know that God will bring thee to an account for all this; and thus it excludes sinful sensual desire

2) their eternal destination (v9)

Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (1996). Commentary on the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 787). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.

Rejoice, O young man! in thy youth. Some make this to be the counsel which the atheist and the epicure give to the young man, the poisonous suggestions against which Solomon, in the close of the verse, prescribes a powerful antidote. But it is more emphatic if we take it, as it is commonly understood, by way of irony, like that of Elijah to the priests of Baal (Cry aloud, for he is a god), or of Micaiah to Ahab (Go to Ramoth-Gilead, and prosper), or of Christ to his disciples, Sleep on now. “Rejoice, O young man! in thy youth, live a merry life, follow thy sports, and take thy pleasures; let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, cheer thee with its fancies and foolish hopes; entertain thyself with thy pleasing dreams; walk in the ways of thy heart; do whatever thou hast a mind to do, and stick at nothing that may gratify the sensual appetite. Quic—quid libet, licet—Make thy will thy law. Walk in the ways of thy heart, and let thy heart walk after thy eyes, a rambling heart after a roving eye; what is pleasing in thy own eyes do it, whether it be pleasing in the eyes of God or no.”

Rejoice, O young man! in thy youth. Some make this to be the counsel which the atheist and the epicure give to the young man, the poisonous suggestions against which Solomon, in the close of the verse, prescribes a powerful antidote. But it is more emphatic if we take it, as it is commonly understood, by way of irony, like that of Elijah to the priests of Baal (Cry aloud, for he is a god), or of Micaiah to Ahab (Go to Ramoth-Gilead, and prosper), or of Christ to his disciples, Sleep on now. “Rejoice, O young man! in thy youth, live a merry life, follow thy sports, and take thy pleasures; let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, cheer thee with its fancies and foolish hopes; entertain thyself with thy pleasing dreams; walk in the ways of thy heart; do whatever thou hast a mind to do, and stick at nothing that may gratify the sensual appetite. Quic—quid libet, licet—Make thy will thy law. Walk in the ways of thy heart, and let thy heart walk after thy eyes, a rambling heart after a roving eye; what is pleasing in thy own eyes do it, whether it be pleasing in the eyes of God or no.” Solomon speaks thus ironically to the young man to show that if men give themselves to such a course of life as this it is just with God to give them up to it, to abandon them to their own heart’s lusts, that they may walk in their own counsels

Solomon speaks thus ironically to the young man to

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1053). Peabody: Hendrickson.

their eternal destination (v9)

enjoyment begin in one’s youth because youth is fleeting; but he added that enjoyment should be tempered by responsible living because everyone is answerable to God. there is no reason to believe from either explicit or implicit arguments in this book that Solomon believed this judgment would take place in the afterlife. Instead, like other wisdom writers of his era, he emphasized a temporal judgment within a man’s lifetime

enjoyment begin in one’s youth because youth is fleeting; but he added that enjoyment should be tempered by responsible living because everyone is answerable to God

To the young, Ecclesiastes advises that their brief time of youthful vigor be spent in joy rather than in anxiety. But they are not free to pursue folly and immoral behavior. Awareness of divine judgment and the fleeting nature of youth should always govern their decisions

two cases i heard on radio on the way to office. kidnapping and drug trafficking.

2) Remove - their emotional struggle (heart) and physical struggle (body) - v10

their emotional struglle (v10)

v. 10. Let young people look to themselves and manage well both their souls and their bodies, their heart and their flesh.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (pp. 1053–1054). Peabody: Hendrickson.the perplexity (1:18), grief (2:23; 7:3) or irritation (7:9) caused by sheer experience of life. The ‘vanity’ of the world easily induces in us ‘vexation’, which hinders the joyful life of faith. The danger is that ‘vexation’ over the enigmas and irritations of life will grip the ‘heart’ and that disillusionment will lead to cynicism

the perplexity (1:18), grief (2:23; 7:3) or irritation (7:9) caused by sheer experience of life. The ‘vanity’ of the world easily induces in us ‘vexation’, which hinders the joyful life of faith. The danger is that ‘vexation’ over the enigmas and irritations of life will grip the ‘heart’ and that disillusionment will lead to cynicism

Let them take care that their minds be not lifted up with pride, nor disturbed with anger, or any sinful passion: Remove sorrow, or anger, from thy heart; the word signifies any disorder or perturbation of the mind. Young people are apt to be impatient of check and control, to vex and fret at any thing that is humbling and mortifying to them, and their proud hearts rise against every thing that crosses and contradicts them. They are so set upon that which is pleasing to sense that they cannot bear any thing that is displeasing, but it goes with sorrow to their heart. Their pride often disquiets them, and makes them uneasy.

their physcial challenge (v10) - body

The Hebrew bāsār (body) portrays mankind in his weakness, both physical weariness (12:12) and moral frailty (5:6). This text with its contrast between heart and flesh, the inner and outer aspects of human life, emphasizes physical weakness. Thus the exhortation is to remove the physical barriers to joy as far as possible. E. Jacob understands this verse to refer to gratification of sexual desire, but the passage is not concerned with anything so specific. It operates in general categories

Let them take care that their bodies be not defiled by intemperance, uncleanness, or any fleshly lusts: “Put away evil from the flesh, and let not the members of thy body be instruments of unrighteousness. The evil of sin will be the evil of punishment, and that which thou art fond of, as good for the flesh, because it gratifies the appetites of it, will prove evil, and hurtful to it, and therefore put it far from thee, the further the better.”

top 10 social issue:

https://www.verywellfamily.com/startling-facts-about-todays-teenagers-2608914

Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch,” Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange, and also speaks regularly at parenting and leadership conferences. Kara is the author or co-author of a number of books including Growing Young, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith Curriculum, Can I Ask That?, Deep Justice Journeys, Essential Leadership, Deep Justice in a Broken World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, and the Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum. most importantly, a mum of three at the teenage years.

https://karapowell.com/2019/02/helping-in-struggle-and-failure/

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/connecting-with-your-teen-or-young-adult-part-1-of-2/

The work of removing anxiety and frustration from the heart should begin early in life.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

suggestions for parents with youths:

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/contributors/kara-powell/

3) Remember - Understand their need/help them in the search of Salvation

remember their creator. The exhortation in 12:1–7 links on to those of ch. 11 (‘And remember …’), bringing them to a climax. Mankind needs to look not merely to his well-being (11:1ff.) but to his Maker. Expediency and obligation combine.

The command Remember your Creator means to revere God, to keep His laws faithfully, to serve Him responsibly, remembering that because He created people, everyone owes Him his life. This meaning is obvious (a) from the preceding verses (11:9–10) on living joyously but responsibly, (b) from the final advice at the end of the book to “fear God and keep His commandments” (12:13), and (c) from the meaning of the verb “remember” (in and “remember” is parallel to keeping the Law; in Jud. 8:34 it is contrasted with self-reliance and worship of other gods; in it is parallel to meditating on and faithfully following God). The epithet for God, “your Creator,” emphasizes Him as the Author of life, who gives it and takes it away (cf. ; and the allusion to ; ). Using a wordplay on the word “troubles” in (“the troubles of your body”), Solomon advised responsible living in one’s youth, before the days of trouble come, that is, the days of old age whose troubles he figuratively depicted in 12:2–5, the years in which he said they would find little or no pleasure.

The epithet for God, “your Creator,” emphasizes Him as the Author of life, who gives it and takes it away (cf. ; and the allusion to ; ).

The exhortation in 12:1–7 links on to those of ch. 11 (‘And remember …’), bringing them to a climax. Mankind needs to look not merely to his well-being (11:1ff.) but to his Maker. Expediency and obligation combine

Using a wordplay on the word “troubles” in (“the troubles of your body”), Solomon advised responsible living in one’s youth, before the days of trouble come, that is, the days of old age whose troubles he figuratively depicted in 12:2–5, the years in which he said they would find little or no pleasure.

The poem in 12:1–7 is also meant as a warning to the young concerning things to come. Its imagery is in some points obscure, but it is nevertheless poignant and moving. Verse 2 may refer to the day of death or to failing eyesight. Verse 3 describes the loss of strength in the arms (“keepers of the house”) and legs (“strong men”), the loss of teeth (“grinders”), and encroaching blindness (“those looking through the windows”). Verse 4 alludes to failing hearing that is yet coupled to the sleeplessness whereby one awakes at the slightest sound. Verse 5 speaks of the general loss of courage, confidence, and sexual drive. Finally, in 12:6–7 death is portrayed as the shattering of a vessel whereby its contents—life—are spilled out.

Glenn, D. R. (1985). Ecclesiastes. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1004). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Garrett, D. A. (1998). The Poetic and Wisdom Books. In D. S. Dockery (Ed.), Holman concise Bible commentary (p. 250). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

how? to help our youths to remember their creator. there is only one solution - talk with them. The biggest hindrance to your kids’ faith is not doubt; it is silence. (Christianity Today, 21/2/2019). he way we respond to doubt sends a message about God. We’ve found that when leaders and parents tend to silence young people’s doubts, young people not only learn that their church and family can’t handle doubt; they think God can’t handle doubt either.

4 steps to better handling doubts:

in the article, Kara Powell said this, ““I think if I were to go back and re-parent, I actually would allow my kids more freedom in their high school years to explore and express their questions about faith.” According to our study, which looked at 500 youth group graduates, over 70 percent of churchgoing high schoolers report having serious doubts about faith. Sadly, less than half of those young people shared their doubts and struggles with an adult or friend. Somehow, young people and their parents have lost the ability to speak of faith in real life. Like learning Mandarin as a young person then forgetting it as an adult, Christian adolescents and emerging adults often become less fluent in faith over time. But faith needs to be talked about and processed, and if these conversations diminish as our kids get older, we miss opportunities to help them remain fluent. What we call “faithing,” or the ongoing act of faith, depends on practice and use for it to become deeply part of us. It is through faithing that language, behaviors, beliefs, and values are internalized. it’s time to reframe young people’s questions and doubts not as challenges, but as opportunities.

As we interact with parents nationwide, they confess that when it comes to discussing spirituality, they’re worried about saying the wrong thing and either messing up or revealing their ignorance. The good news for parents is we don’t need to be theologians or super-Christians to talk with our kids about our faith or theirs. We only need to be willing to go there.

As we interact with parents nationwide, they confess that when it comes to discussing spirituality, they’re worried about saying the wrong thing and either messing up or revealing their ignorance. The good news for parents is we don’t need to be theologians or super-Christians to talk with our kids about our faith or theirs. We only need to be willing to go there. Faith in many families has become a lost language, but parents can bring faithing language back into everyday life by finding small ways to speak it again. Like any language, it will seem awkward at first, but consistency will bring fluency. First, create spaces for faithing to happen.

Faith in many families has become a lost language, but parents can bring faithing language back into everyday life by finding small ways to speak it again. Like any language, it will seem awkward at first, but consistency will bring fluency.

First, create spaces for faithing to happen.

Conclusion

live responsibly before gloom and decay set in (12:2-5)

live responsibly before death comes (12:6-7)

AGMC Youth Sunday

helping young people through struggle and failure, Kara Powell

1. Memorize this phrase: “Great question. I don’t know, but …”