I 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.”

Peer pressure can be an amazing thing. It can influence good teens to do bad things and bad teens to do good things. But one cannot underestimate the effect that young people have on other groups as well. Young people have a younger generation that watches them and learns from them. Without speaking a word, by the way they act, dress, and interact with others, they are influencing those following behind them. In addition, young people walking the Christian walk can serve as a reminder to the older generation that they need to keep pressing on and maturing in order to continue spiritually mentoring those coming along behind them. Unlike physical maturity, spiritual maturity is a matter of your commitment to following Christ and not the number of years you have ‘in the faith’. After all, God used a young boy not a seasoned veteran to defeat Goliath. Young people can wield an incredible amount of influence simply by separating themselves from their peers by their words and actions. The older generation will be both inspired and emboldened by you. The younger generation will model themselves after you. This is an awesome responsibility and one that you cannot escape from.

Pray: “Lord Jesus, in your day a youth was someone who had not yet reached the age of 30 years old. In our world today, most people between their teen years and through their 20s feel these are the years for being reckless and foolish. You have called them to be examples. I pray today that youth will see the great value they have to the body of believers, and that they will never underestimate the influence that they can have through you. We lift them to you today, Lord, in your mighty name - Amen.”