“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”
– Psalm 119:9 –

The question about securing the hearts of the youth is age-old. The same can be said for the answer. Yet, the question continues to resurface. Although some may not know, and therefore inquire, it seems that some ask for the sake of finding a different answer. Some have lost trust in the sufficiency and power of God’s word. No method, messenger, supplement, or setting can have any lasting positive effect unless it is divinely prescribed. While the content of the gospel varies in regard to depth and difficulty, it is for all (cf. Matthew 28:19).

There are some distinct temptations that trouble the youth even though the youth are not the only ones that struggle with such (cf. 2 Timothy 2:22). These topics can effectively be addressed in settings such as vacation Bible school, or youth lectures, but the only distinction should be that the topics are gathered with the youth in mind. They should be gathered from the same source as the topics for the adult class on Sunday mornings. Problems occur when older Christians begin to cater to the youth’s age, and not their soul. All Christians are thoroughly equipped via a steady diet of God’s word (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16). Paul told Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12). While Paul addressed some things Timothy would have to face because of his age, he did not dumb down, or water down God’s word because Timothy was a young man. When preaching and teaching the youth becomes bits and pieces of God’s word surrounded by entertainment, the youth have been despised.

Sadly, many younger Christians have accepted such treatment. They have bought into the false concept that the youth need to be taught differently than the older Christians. Solomon wrote, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). The only difference between that and verse 13, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all,” is the encouragement to start young. God will not judge according to age any more than He will judge according to gender or race. “The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). The youth are mistreated when given anything less, or more.

Age is an infinitesimal number in the grand scheme of things. This does not diminish the fact that the Bible speaks of the wisdom of the aged, and the respect they are due (cf. 1 Peter 5:5). However, the elderly Christians are cut out of the same cloth, and that cloth is God’s word (cf. 1 Peter 1:22-25). To seek spiritual nourishment from any other source is folly.

“How shall the young secure their hearts, and guard their lives from sin? Thy word the choicest rules imparts to keep the conscience clean. ‘Tis like the sun, a heavenly light, that guides us all the day; and, through the dangers of the night, a lamp to lead our way. Thy word is everlasting truth; How pure is every page! That holy book shall guide our youth, and will support our age.” – Isaac Watts (How Shall The Young Secure)