Youth | Food for Thought

 

Suggested Passages

  • Ezra 3:10-13

  • Ecclesiastes 2:18-21

  • 2 Timothy 2:3-14

  • 1 Timothy 4:12-5:2

Questions

  • What are some of the stereotypical things you hear, think, or assume about younger folks?

    • How are they different from you and/or other generations - for better, worse, or neutral?

    • How does this shape your expectations, hopes, and trust of them? …the future of the church?

    • Read 1 Timothy 4:12-5:2. What does Paul seem to think the younger folks in the church are capable of?

    • How might it shape the way you think of the younger generations by recognizing that they’re NOT the future of the church, but are ALREADY part of the church?

  • Read Ezra 3:10-13. What can make it tough for folks from different generations to see eye-to-eye on things / work together? Based on the different responses of different generations in the text, what would it be easy for one group to assume about the other? (Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-21 for the post pessimistic version!)

    • Do you have personal examples from school, work, home, etc. that make intergenerational groups difficult? What about the church?

    • On the flip-side, any examples of that going WELL? What are the upsides of having multiple generations sharing different perspectives on the same thing?

    • God is building a church that lasts forever with generations that don’t. What’s required for that to go well?

    • What was the song of the Israelites in Ezra about? Why is the subject of their song significant in pointing to their hope for their past, present, and future?

  • In 2 Timothy 2:3-14, Paul grounds Timothy’s faith in everything that’s come before him. Even though the times change, why is it important for God’s people to not stray from their roots?

    • What unique challenges present themselves today in sticking close to traditional Christian beliefs, practices, etc. today? What does that require / cost of us?

    • On the flip side, what are the opportunities that are ONLY available to those who don’t stray away from the roots of the faith? How can it actually boost our confidence in our own faith?

  • Passing the torch to the next generation and receiving the torch from current generations means we have to be around each other, trust each other, etc. How are you putting yourself in those spaces today?

    • How does trusting the Lord with the church - past, present, future - lend us to trusting those God has brought INTO the church - old, young, and in between?

    • What hesitations do you have to letting to of responsibilities, giving up influence and roles, etc.? What fears do you have about taking on NEW responsibilities?

    • How can this process be an opportunity to actually HONOR those who are in the family? What does it look like for you to do that today?

 
Redeeming RelationshipsScott O'Donohoe