How to Thrive in TeenagehoodSample

Confidence (in our abilities as young people)

Have you ever felt unimportant, or like you can’t do something because you aren’t as good as someone else, especially those that are older than you?

It can be hard to feel important or influential within our faith as teenagers, as it can feel like we hold less power than the adults within our churches, however God wants to use us just as much as he wants to use them. 1 Timothy 4:12-14 says, ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.’ As young people, we need to have confidence in God and in the abilities he has given us, because he wants to use each and every one of his followers in his plan, no matter our age.

This verse shows that we need to stay faithful to God and continue to develop our relationship with him, so that we can set an example for others and help them to feel confident too. We should not feel inadequate or powerless because of our age, because there are many examples of God using young people in the Bible, one of the most famous ones being David; David was around 16 years old (despite often being depicted as a small child), he was treated as nothing but a servant’s son by all those around him. However God had confidence in him, so he was brave and confident in himself and showed this by defeating Goliath.

Never underestimate your influence and abilities, because God knows what we are capable of, even if we don’t ourselves! ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ (Philippians 4:13) Do not let anyone overlook you, not even your youth leaders, pastors, parents, or best friends, because God sustains us and our confidence will be strongest when found in him and only him.

Prayer: Lord, help us to find confidence today. Let us be available and willing to do the ordinary for you like David did, instead of waiting around for big things to happen. Help us to hear you, and seize any opportunity to be brave that you provide us with, because we want you to use us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions:

If you have ever felt useless to God, why do you think this is?

What are some of the ways that you think God can use you, despite your age? - Take some time to write them down.