Young Guys

Young Guys
Words of Faith 9-7-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Titus 2
[6] Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. [7] In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness [8] and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

We might think that since Titus was a young guy he would know how to teach young guys. This is not necessarily the case. While Titus could surely relate to the young men of the churches, teaching one's peers can be difficult.
Teaching those who are younger is so vital! It is often said that the younger generation is the church of tomorrow, but the reality is that they are the church of today. They are the church of now still in the process of becoming all that God has planned for them to be.
For Titus, the first goal was to encourage self-control among younger men. Of all the frailties that beset young men, lack of self-control seems to top the list. Some religious movements exploit this combustible frailty to power political rebellion. For young guys who are true believers in Christ, impulse control and self-discipline are the foundational character qualities that must be set. But how do you do this?
Paul's instruction to Titus reflects significant wisdom. Some things are better caught than taught. "Set them an example," says Paul. This was the direction of the Old Guy Paul to the Young Guy Titus regarding young believers of the churches. Above all, DO what is good. Be consistent. Keep doing what is good. Persevere in a life that is good.
Several other important qualities needed to be taught. The first is integrity. You teach integrity by showing integrity. You teach by example modeling a life of integrity. There is no better method than living with integrity faithfully over time.
And seriousness? Seriously? Yes, but the word actually means to live with honesty and gravity. That is, live with a sense that life and how we live it counts. Even as young men, live with the reality that you are building a legacy in the way that you walk.
Live with soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. This actually means speech that is healthy and beyond reproach. Young men need to learn that a few course words or poorly chosen stories can negate all of what God is trying to communicate through them by the witness of the Spirit.
The result of this way of living and instructing is that there is nothing bad to be said about you. Those who would oppose you will be ashamed of their effort because there is nothing that can be raised in objection.

Lord, I lift to you the Young Guys of Your church. I pray that you will use me in any way possible to strengthen the Young Guys. I pray for this young generation of Your Body to be strong with integrity doing what is good. I pray for those You are calling to rise to leadership and walk with soundness of speech that cannot be condemned and to live life with honesty and gravity that You may be glorified. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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