5. Hang in there and don’t quit.
Barnabas is the best example of an encourager in the Bible. What hit me as I read about him encouraging young believers was his message to them:
“(…) strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith and saying: ‘We must go through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:22 NKJV)
Encouraging our teens doesn’t mean telling them it’s all gonna be OK, that things will look better tomorrow or that others have it way worse. Barnabas encouraged young believers by telling them the truth: Struggles and trials are part of life as a Christian. Just hang in there and don’t give up. And I’d like to add: And you’re not alone. Those are words teens need to hear.
Being a teen has never been easy and it sure isn’t nowadays. Teens need our support and encouragement, both in their everyday struggles and in their faith. But let’s encourage them with the truth, not with platitudes. Let’s help them to continue in their faith, to hang in there and not quit.
Can you think of other words or Bible messages for youth? What messages are you impressing upon your teens to reaffirm them?
