Youth Retreat: ‘May it be said of us’
I had the privilege to speak at the Heritage Baptist Youth Retreat this past March and was deeply challenged and encouraged even as I spoke. Having been a teenager not so long ago, I remember the challenges and struggles that I went through at that age. It is a formative time in your life, and things you hear or learn at that age can stick with you for a lifetime. They can also leave as quickly as you heard them. My prayer was that the Spirit of God would use His word to grab hold of each young person and begin the process of raising up a new generation who pursues and proclaims the glorious gospel.
The theme for the retreat was ‘May it be said of us’ with a particular focus on 1 Timothy 4:12…
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
I challenged the young people to ask themselves what it is that is being said of them. If the gospel is a reality in their lives, then there were five things about which the gospel should be informing their lives: (1) Speech, (2) Conduct, (3) Love, (4) Faith, & (5) Purity. These particular things, though not exhaustive, are often lacking in the life of a young person. This is where they find themselves struggling day in and day out. I challenged them not to give reason for people to despise their youth. Our culture has developed a definite and natural despising of youthful vigor. However, they needed to strive against and not to feed this preconception. They needed to live for something bigger than themselves – the glory of Christ.
Below, you will find the recording of those messages. I hope and pray that the word will encourage and challenge your heart as you listen. Feel free to share with others.
Marked by Heartfelt Compassion
Marked by Reckless Abandonment
Daniel Cavanaugh
