God’s Love Shines Through You When You Serve

When my two sons were little, I biked all three of us around by pulling them in a small trailer attached to my bicycle. They rode in comfort, safe and shielded from the sun. One afternoon, I pedaled us to the store. After doing our shopping, we started home. But as we were leaving the shopping center, I ran into a curb and tipped my bike over. My children were unharmed, but I fell onto the concrete and skinned my hands—along with my pride. As soon as I tumbled over, two teenage boys ran up to ask if we were okay. Their faces showed sincere concern as they leaned down to check on me. Even though I didn’t need much help, the boys’ compassion had an impact on me.

At times, adults have unfairly labeled teenagers as self-centered or lazy. Adolescence is a time of growth as we figure out who we are and what we value, which is a good thing, but it can be easy to focus only on our own needs and desires. But God has so much more for us during this season of transition.

In today’s passage, Paul is reminding Timothy to set an example for other believers, even older ones, by the life he lives. As a young person, you can display love, faith, and purity that are worthy of emulating—both by teens and adults. That afternoon when I crashed my bike, I watched two young men model care and concern for others in their conduct toward me.

If you’ve put your trust in the risen Jesus, the same Holy Spirit who lived in Paul and Timothy is living in you! As you lean into relationship with God, He equips you to lead by example in your own life. • Allison Wilson Lee

• Do you ever feel discounted or minimized as a teenager? How?

• In what ways do you hope to lead by example?

• How does God equip us to live a life worth emulating? (Ephesians 4:1-6; 2 Timothy 3:15-17)

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Matt.5.14-Matt.5.16|Matt.25.34-Matt.25.40|Mark.10.42-Mark.10.45|Gal.5.13