Summary: It’s tough to be a teenager today. I wrote this series of messages for our new 7th graders graduating into teenage life. The first message in the series explores the misconceptions that adults have on youth and how to overcome them.

Prove Yourself

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

I. Adults have created a perception of teens that is negative

a. Teens are lazy

b. Teens are not responsible

c. Teens are disrespectful

d. Teens just don’t care

II. 1 Timothy tells you not to allow anyone to look down on you just because of your age

a. Throughout the Bible, God uses all kinds of young people to accomplish His will

b. You must give others a reason not to buy into the “norm”

III. You must prove yourself in the following areas to gain the respect of others

a. In your Words

i. Are your words kind to others?

ii. Do you speak respectfully to adults and peers?

b. In your Conversation

i. Are you loud and obnoxious with your conversations?

ii. Do you respect other people’s opinions?

c. In your Charity (love toward others)

i. It’s tough to love other people

ii. Do you love others?

1. Do you make fun of people or lift them up?

2. Do you pick on those that are weaker or do you stand up for them?

d. In your Spirit

i. Are you at peace with yourself?

ii.

e. In your Faith

i. Are you growing closer to our Father?

ii. Are you sharing your faith?

f. In your Purity

i. Set boundaries in your dating life.

ii. Set boundaries in your life when you are all alone.