Daily Devotion for Saturday 27th September 2025

1 Timothy 4: 11 – 16

These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.  Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Reflection

A friend of mine, as a young man, was converted by his own preaching.  He attended a church youth group because he fancied some of the girls.  The youth group  were asked to lead a church service and, as the gobbiest, he was asked to preach.  The only resource he had to base this on was an old tract ‘Journey into Life’.  Halfway through his sermon, he realised that if what he was saying was true, he needed to do something about it!  I have no idea if anyone else was blessed by his preaching, but he went on to be a great Christian youth worker and encourage many young people to exercise their God-given gifts in different ways.

Timothy was blessed to be part of an intergenerational faith community, along with his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois.  He also had Paul as a mentor or ‘Godparent’ cheering him on, believing he had something important to offer, whatever his age.

I am definitely no longer young, yet not quite embracing old (despite the senior railcard!), but rather stretching middle age out as long as possible. However, I can still remember every time someone has encouraged me to step out and exercise a gift in service of the church and the world.  I am also blessed in my role to spend time across the year with the amazing URC Youth Executive, and to learn from their examples in speech and conduct, in love, in purity and in faith. I pray we may all be blessed by the young people we have connection with, and be a blessing to them:

Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in love, in faith, in how to live. Fan into flames the gift of God that is within you and be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

(Blessing for young people based on 1 Tim 4:12, 2 Tim 1:6 & 2 Tim 2:1) – see Pray like Paul – United Reformed Church

Prayer

Loving, living God, give us faith like Paul,
to pray for young people,
that we may be a place and a people
where they are encouraged, empowered and equipped
to play their part in the mission of God.
Prepare us to hear you through them
and to be led by their example closer to you. Amen