Read this Bible text, and it’s tough for any of us not to see our responsibility to give some time and attention to young persons:
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:2-8)
Here are some ways to “jumpstart” that commitment:
- Spend time with young people who have an interest in your profession. That common interest provides the basis for conversation, and conversation can lead to mentoring and investment. You might even invite them to your workplace.
- Invite a younger believer to lunch. You don’t need to have any agenda other than getting to know each other. We can learn and teach a lot over a few meals.
- Invite younger couples for a meal in your home. Just a few hours watching how you treat your spouse and raise your children can be life-changing to younger believers who’ve had no Christian role models.
- Take a younger believer to a sporting event with you. If you want them to really see your Christianity in action, have younger believers around you when the traffic is crazy or the referee makes a bad call against your team.
- Read a book together. Some folks aren’t readers, so you’ll need to find a book that works for both of you. Others are avid readers, but they’ve never been invited to discuss a book outside of a classroom.
- Work with your church’s student pastor to hang out with younger believers. I’d be surprised if that pastor doesn’t want dedicated, genuinely Christian older believers influencing the youth group.
- Participate in your church’s membership class. Even if you’re already a member, talk with a pastor about your attending the class regularly to encourage new believers and members. I suspect that mentor/mentee relationships might develop.
- Commit to interceding regularly for a younger believer. You might be surprised how praying for somebody (which requires conversations to learn about prayer needs) can lead to a discipling relationship.
Older believers, what steps have you taken to invest in younger believers? Give us some good ideas!
Be real with young guys. No pretense. They can smell the BS a mile away. Pray for the young guys, and with the young guys God brings into my life. I listen.
I’ve chaperoned a lot of school field trips. Show kids that I care/they matter. Allow them to lead the way at the field trip. Allow them the opportunity to grow by being leaders. It’s their field trip! I just stay close to give them some freedom in a safe environment.
I invest heavily in my sons. I tell them I love them and show love and respect to them. I support them in all they are interested in (spiritually, mentally, physically healthy activities), church, read bible, pray together with them and pray for them, spend time, call, text, hike, kayak, fish, shoot guns, movies, vacations.
A young guy I go to church with; I picked him up from his work and took him out to lunch. Talked about his life and biblical living, God has a plan for his life—the need to commit his life to God. I share my life story—ups, downs, mistakes, life in Christ.
Another young guy and I have been doing Bible studies (not topical books studies) together for over a year. Reading Scripture makes a difference. We have gone to a movie, had breakfasts and lunches together. We pray together.
Recently, another young guy has been joining us. We have phone calls as well. Share my story, my life in Christ.
Two years ago, a group of Young’s guys and myself had a Bible study group. Three guys were saved. One guy stopped coming to church since, but periodically I text him. Seems like he’s no longer interested. It’s sad, because out of the three, he was the first guy to accept Christ.
I talk with young athletes at sporting events. I give them healthy praise/encourage them and tell them that I had a great time watching them play.
Just saying,”Hi” to young people, acknowledging them as people who matter, who have value and worth is important and actually telling them they matter to God, their lives have value and worth. Having healthy adult conversations with young guys. Living a biblical life is a great example, but sometimes young guys need to know their lives matter to God, they were created at this time in history because God has a specific purpose for them.
Some guys from our church shared our faith in Christ with a group of inmates at a county jail. 5 young guys accepted Christ. Some of their life stories were real horror stories. They need to know there is hope in Christ.
I am a member of FAITH Riders Motorcycle Ministry. We share our faith in Christ with young and old, men and women. Use your hobby to share Christ with someone.
Our church has a boy’s ministry called Trail Life. My pastor, another guy and I talked with the boys about our bikes and how we use our hobby to Share Christ with people.
I’ve taught Sunday school, VBS and I still friends with some of the kids I had back then.