Seventh-day Adventist® Church

This evening my 11 year old son talked me through the moves to complete the Rubik's cube. I have never done this before. And it took my well practised son to help me do this for the first time. Thank you, Luke.

I heard a great sermon today, by a sports degree student, based on the idea that Jesus is for life, not just for Christmas; Jesus is for Uni, not just for home. She used a number of sporting illustrations to good effect, and was honest in her testimony about her early days in this her first year at uni.

Intending to be bold in her witness, she confessed that Sabbaths became a lay-in day, and intentions remained intentions. Time and opportunity has changed that, and she is now more involved in witness on campus. (N - I hope this is a fair précis of your talk. Thank you and well done).

Two young people. Two lessons learnt today.

Paul wrote to a young missionary. He counselled not to be puzzled by confusing teachings, he used a sporting analogy, and encouraged Timothy not to allow his youthfulness to be a reason to give up.

1 Timothy 4 (The Message)6-10
You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

11-14
Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

Whether you are in secondary or tertiary education, over educated or uneducated, don't let your young age deter you from teaching someone something new. Be sure you don't get distracted in your faith. Exercise daily in God. Read the Scriptures. And keep doing something for God's sake.

Thank you young people for teaching me something recreational and spiritual today.

-Pr Nathan Stickland
www.adventistyouth.org.uk