Advertisement

My Answer: Don’t shy away from teaching young people

Share

Q: I’ve been asked to teach the junior high class in our church beginning this fall, but I’m really reluctant to do it. I don’t feel qualified, and anyway, that’s a hard age to deal with. Would it be wrong for me to turn down this request? — P.F.

A: No, it wouldn’t be wrong for you to turn it down — if God doesn’t want you to accept it. Someone else may be better qualified, and God may want that person to accept this responsibility instead of you.

But what if God wants you to take this offer? Then it would be wrong for you to turn it down, and you should seriously consider this possibility. In other words, pray and seek God’s will about this, and don’t turn it down just because you don’t feel comfortable or qualified to do it.

Advertisement

If it’s God’s will, he’ll help you and use you, as you depend on him. The Bible says, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6).

Study after study confirms that most people make their decision for Christ before the age of 25 — and often during their early teen years. If you do take this class, don’t think of it as a burden but as a privilege and as an opportunity to influence them for Christ for the rest of their lives.

In addition, be the best teacher you can possibly be. Prepare carefully, pray incessantly and present the material interestingly and creatively. Make the Bible the foundation of your teaching, and most of all, keep Christ at the center.

Pray too that they won’t only hear about Christ through your words, but they’ll see him through your life. The Bible says, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care” (1 Peter 5:2).

*

Q: Our church’s new budget includes a fairly large amount of money for our missionaries. But are missionaries even needed today? It seems to me that we can reach the world much more cheaply and efficiently through the Internet. Why isn’t anyone doing this? — R.R.

A: Many organizations and ministries are bringing the message of Christ’s love and hope through the Internet, often reaching people in parts of the world that have no other access to the gospel.

However, missionaries are still needed. In fact, they are needed today more than ever. For example, some countries that were closed only 15 or 20 years ago are now open to the gospel, and opportunities for evangelism and service in those nations have exploded. In addition, churches in those countries often need training and other skills that only missionaries can supply.

Also, many countries still have enormous medical, educational and social needs, and the opportunities for Christian doctors, nurses, teachers, agriculturalists and other skilled professionals have never been greater. Needless to say, such work cannot be done through the Internet.

The Bible says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

Be grateful for the missionaries your church supports. Pray for them, support them financially and encourage them through your letters and emails. They often work in difficult and lonely places, and they need to know others care. Also, urge the young people in your church to seek God’s will for their lives, including exploring the possibility of some type of mission service.

Jesus’ command has never been withdrawn: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).

(Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn., 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM; or visit https://www.billygraham.org.)

Advertisement