These Are The Best Years

These Are The Best Years

Why the teenage years are the best years of life and effective ministry

Introduction: Wisdom - From one generation to another

1. A Time of Firsts

- your first date

- your first kiss

- your first love

- your first job

- your first paycheck

- your first bill

- your first drive

- your first car

- your first ticket

- your first time away from home (college)

Example: David & Goliath - his first kill

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. (1 Samuel 17:48-51)

- His victory...more to come

2. A Time of Commitments

- to learning

- to friendships (Example: David & Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:3; 19:4)

- to family

- to responsibility

- to your faith and relationship w/ God

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come…Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:8; 12-16)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

Your commitments will greatly effect your decisions and will reward you in life.

3. A Time of Decisions

- higher education

- career

- life partner

- continued participation in ministry

God rarely reveals his entire plan for us - this way we will trust HIM.

a. seek Godly counsel (Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:21)

b. pray (If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5)

c. listen and obey (Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. Jeremiah 7:23)

Closing:

God’s fingerprint in on your life and there isn’t a more exciting time than when you’re discovering and pursuing his plan for your life.

Your teenage years are the best time of your life because…

- It’s a time of firsts

- It’s a time of commitments

- It’s a time of decisions