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IN THE DAZE OF YOUR YOUTH
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(THIS IS PART ONE OF THIS STUDY. YOU CAN CLICK OF THE FREE ONLINE STUDY TAB, AND GO TO "YOUNG AND COPING" STUDY TO READ PART TWO). "Today we live in a world of darkness, low moral standards, negative influences, premarital sex, drugs, violence, rebellion, and selfishness. These problems in our society root back to the sinful nature of fallen man and the compromising of Christian values." Lewis Burrell III www.thewakeupcall.org As we begin to reach young adulthood, this is a time in our lives when we are searching for the real purpose of life. In this searching process, most of us will not openly admit that there are a lot of things about life that we simply don't understand. In the minds of many of us who are young, the most appropriate way to go about this quest for answers, is to do it secretly. Therefore, we pretend that we have found the answers to life's many questions. This alleged proof that we have found the answer to the questions of life is then acted out by us through our music, our dance, our dress, and our behavior in general. Playing pretend is a major part of our young adolescence. We play pretend with doll babies, toy guns, costumes of our favorite super heroes, etc. The game of pretend does not end as we reach young adulthood, we simply pretend on a higher level. Young people who have been exposed to the things of God find themselves faced with questions such as; am I to young to think about getting serious about God? Do I really want God to be a part of my life right now? The Bible has much to say to young people concerning these matters.
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WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM KING SOLOMON
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Young people can learn a lot about their true purpose in life and what's most important in life, from King Solomon. In the Book of Ecclesiastes we find Solomon seeking to find the true meaning and purpose of life (his existence). Because Solomon was very rich and could afford to get anything money could buy. He said he tried all types of things and situations in his quest. He said he got high, partied, he got the best of music, built several nice cribs, he got all types of silver and gold, etc. Yet he said it all was emptiness, because it did not fill the void in his life. 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. ECCL 2:1-10.
After all of his searching, he came to the conclusion that the whole purpose of man was to (while still young) to respect and obey God. (COMPARE BELOW) |
 | SOLOMON FOUND HIS TRUE PURPOSE 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. |
PUBERTY A TIME OF MAJOR CHANGE
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Puberty is the time of life when we are no longer children but not yet an adult. It is a period of rapid growth. This time of rapid growth marks the end of childhood and the beginning of physical and sexual maturity. During puberty the bodies of boys and girls change noticeably, as do many of their feelings. The apostle Paul made mention of the change which takes place in the lives of young people, when he was teaching about the importance of walking in a spirit of mature Christian love toward others. Paul said when he was a child he thought like a child, but when he became a man, he put away childish things. 1st Cor. 13:11 Paul's comments accurately describe the normal psychophysical changes that take place in normal human development. Not all young people experience puberty at the same age. Some boys and girls begin to notice major changes in their bodies much earlier than other boys and girls do. At the beginning of puberty, most girls are taller and grow faster than most boys who are the same age. After boys begin their period of rapid growth, they soon catch up with the girls. While it is true that puberty brings a rapid change in our lives, it still does take some time to be completed. Many people think that puberty happens overnight, one day you an innocent unaware child, and you wake up the next morning totally sexually and physiologically aware of your adulthood. In truth the maturing process can last anywhere from one to six years. The blueprint for the physical changes that occur during puberty was actually established before birth, when the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (a small organ attached to the brain, which helps our body to develop) were programmed by hormones for a later "awakening". THIS AWAKENING PROCESS OFTEN COMES WITH MUCH PRESSURE AND CONFLICT.
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It is Satan who deceives young people into thinking that they are to young to come to God. Many young people tend to think that God is not interested in them, and has no use for them while they are still young. The truth of the matter is, God calls and uses people of all ages, including those who are young. The Bible gives us many examples of God calling and using those who are young. Most young people tend to think they have plenty of time to get right with God, seeing that they are young and have their whole life before them. Not only do most young people think this way, but people of all ages tend to think this is the case. Most people think that the acceptable time to get saved is anytime up until the last second before they die. The Bible tells a different story. It tells us the right time to come to Christ is right now, meaning the moment a person of any age realizes that God is calling them. In this book we closely examine how God calls those who are young. It is very important that we develop the right attitude about God, while we are still young. It is the attitudes that we develop about God, which will help determine what type of relationship we will seek to develop with God. The Bible gives us a great deal of information about the methods, will and character of God. We are told that God loves us, he is faithful, he cannot lie, etc. Satan is aware of the fact that as young people seek to draw near to God, they will through experience, gain first hand knowledge that these and other similar traits of God are true. WHILE WE ARE STILL YOUNG, IT IS SATAN'S INTENT TO DISTORT OUR VIEW OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD, IN SUCH A WAY, THAT WE WILL NEVER EARNESTLY SEEK TO HAVE A REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (WE SHOULD BEWARE). |
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Solomon tells us, God wants us to enjoy life, but in ways which don't conflict with his design and purpose for us on the earth. Most of us who start out in life, view life as something to be explored, discovered, and experienced, to the fullest degree of our ability. Since it was God who made us, it is he who knows what it takes to give us a real life. We are told to not to trust in the material things of this world, but in God, who gives us all things to enjoy. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 1st Tim 6:17. The world projects the impression, that it's not possible to please God and find enjoyment in life. God says real fulfillment and joy can only be found in him. God tells those who are young to enjoy life, but he also warns he will judge them for the choices they make. "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Eccl 11:9
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GOD'S PLANS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR US
WHAT SHOULD PARENTS EXPECT FROM THEIR CHILDREN?
WHAT SHOULD CHILDREN EXPECT FROM THEIR PARENTS?
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God has plans for us and expectations for us. These plans expectation started before the world ever existed. God in his wisdom knew that in order for these plans to come to pass, someone had to teach about him and his ways while we were still young (THIS IS WHERE OUR PARENTS COME IN). Parents have a God appointed responsibility to teach their children about him while they are still young. It is important to God and even more important for us, that we learn to respect him and obey his guidelines. Because it is important to God that we are taught to respect and obey him, God takes note of parents who seek to instill this godly respect in their children. We see this truth in God's choice of a man through whom the world would be blessed. When God was seeking a man who he could use to be a blessing and example to the world, God chose Abraham. One of the reasons why God chose Abraham was because he knew that Abraham, would teach his children to do the right thing and be fair. 17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Gen 18:17-19. Oftentimes when we are young (and sometimes not so young) we feel if our parents really loved us they would not seek to impress the things of God upon us so strongly. We feel that their love for us should cause them to hold back on what God says and how God says we should live our lives. Yet God tells those who are parents they are to teach their children of him and his ways. God has commanded parents who desire to please him to teach their children about him and his standards. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deut 6:6-7. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 2:6
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Even in the New Testament, the Bible still instructs children to obey their parents. They are told that God blesses those who honor their parents in ways which line up with his word. Paul also told Parents to be kind to their children and not do things to them out of spite or meanness. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephe 6:1-4. When Paul said don't provoke children to anger, he was not saying that parents would not set guidelines which would not make their children angry, a curfew, limiting phone time, etc may anger ones child. What Paul had in mind was not avoiding discipline, but rather avoiding abuse. Paul also knew that parents cannot properly discipline their children unless they have first learned to govern themselves. Thus when he tells parents to properly raise their children, he tells them to do so, using the Lord's guidelines. How can parents bring their kids up in the things of God, when they are not in God themselves? How can parents expect to subdue self-will in their little ones and check the rise of an angry temper if their own passions are allowed free reign, and not subject to the word of God? The character of parents is to a very large degree reproduced in their offspring: Good instruction is to be accompanied by good example. That teaching which issues only from the lips is not at all likely to sink any deeper than the ears. Children are particularly quick to detect inconsistencies and to despise hypocrisy. The best way to teach ones child is not by what we say, but what we do. BELOW WE LIST SOME OF THE MAIN THINGS GOD EXPECTS PARTENTS TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN |
1. GOD HAS GIVEN YOU A WILL (A RIGHT TO CHOOSE). AS AN ADULT YOU WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE FOR YOURSELF. GOD EXPECTS YOUR PARENTS, BY WORD AND EXAMPLE, IN A LOVING ENVIRONMENT, TO HELP SHAPE YOUR WILL, (IN A POSITIVE WAY).
2. YOU NEED TO LEARN TO DEVELOP A REVERENCE/RESPECT FOR GOD, AS THE ONE WHO CREATED YOU, AND TO RESPECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
3. YOU MUST LEARN TO USE SELF CONTROL, YOU MUST LEARN YOU CAN'T DO AND SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT, (IN A NEGATIVE WAY).
4. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU DEVELOP POSITIVE HABITS (AVOIDING DRUGS, CIGARETTES, SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, ETC, HELPS).
5. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING/NOT BEING LAZY.
6. YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO INTERACT WITH OTHERS. DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS IN A FAIR, JUST, AND RESPECTFUL MANNER, IN THE SIGHT OF GOD AND MAN.
7. THROUGH CHASTISEMENT, VERBAL REBUKE, PUTTING ON PUNISHMENT, AND OTHER CORRECTIVE MEASURES, YOU MUST LEARN THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR NEGATIVE CONDUCT.
8. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHTS TO SEXUALLY, PHYSICALLY OR EMOTIONALLY ABUSE YOU.
9. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU LEARN HOW TO HANDLE MONEY, HONORING GOD FIRST (IN OFFERINGS) PAYING ONES BILLS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
10. YOU MUST ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU DID NOT COME HERE TO STAY. AFTER YOU DIE YOU MUST ALL STAND BEFORE GOD TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR THE WAY WE HAVE LIVED THE LIFE HE GAVE US.
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