In the Bible, in Christian history, and today we see youth used by God in extraordinary ways. The God of the Bible is more than willing to use youth for his Kingdom purposes.
Meet Falon, A Youth Used by God
“When people meet me, I want them to also meet Jesus,” Falon said excitedly. She had just finished sharing several stories of ways that she had led dozens of people to Christ over the course of the last several months, since the end of her time at Forge Equipping. I sat stunned, listening to her share story after story.
This seemingly shy and unassuming young lady had done some incredible things. My jaw was on the floor! From what I could see, her statement was true. When people met Falon, they also met Jesus.
At the time (just a couple short years ago), Falon was still in high school. She had no seminary degree and no formal Bible training, just a short two-week training with Forge (Forge Equipping). That was it.
There are many vocational church workers who haven’t led as many people to Christ in a lifetime of ministry, as Falon did in just 6 months. Falon was humble, loved Jesus, and knew the Gospel. For her, that’s all that was needed to have an extraordinary impact on the Kingdom.
Youth Used by God in Scripture
Paul’s words to Timothy seem fitting here, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). These words ring true.
Unfortunately, though, for many of us as Christians, when we see youth, we see inexperience, immaturity, and a lack of education (both book-learning and real-world). That’s what makes Falon’s story so incredible to us. It feels impossible. Yet, it is very possible. The God of the Bible is more than willing to use youth for his Kingdom purposes.
Throughout the pages of Scripture, we see youth used by God:
- David is estimated to have been less than 20 years old, when he slayed Goliath.
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were likely young men, when they faced the decision to either bow down or be thrown into a fiery furnace.
- Of course, we know that Timothy was young, since Paul wrote to him about his youth.
We may underestimate and overlook youth, but God certainly doesn’t. Perhaps it is because some youth are naive to the ways of the world, or perhaps life hasn’t made them so hard-hearted. But time and time again, I see youth leading the charge with passionate vigor to see the Kingdom of God advance.
It’s as if their inexperience is an asset. They believe that what God says is possible, simply because He said it, and they live that way. Show me a youth who is passionate about Jesus, and I will show you a young person making a difference in his Kingdom.
Falon is just one of many stories I could share of youth used by God. I have been amazed time and time again. Perhaps it shouldn’t be so surprising anymore. God is so consistent in using youth. It’s true what God said to Samuel, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Meet Kari, Charlie, & More Youth Used by God
Kari was another young lady in high school. After listening to a Forge speaker, she sensed God calling her to leave her comfort zone and enroll in public school (after being homeschooled for much of her life). She sensed that God had a Kingdom purpose for her in her local high school, and she was right. She decided to be on-mission in a place no one else was. God used her, and she ended up leading people to Christ!
At Deep Camp, another young man, Charlie, sensed a call to international missions. He took this seriously. Within the year, he was on his first mission trip to Africa. Soon, he was living among a tribal group, deep in the bush, hoping to start a discipleship movement. At the ripe age of 21 this young man ignited a discipleship movement among a totally unreached people group.
Another young man sensed a call to missions at a Forge training and began to seek God for what that meant. He felt God tugging him to a remote village in the middle-of-no-where Papua New Guinea. Soon, he was traversing the world. After days of travel by air, car and foot, he finally reached the village to discover a people who needed to be reminded of Jesus’ love and care for them. During his time there, he learned of a tribe nearby who was still practicing cannibalism and had not heard the Gospel. After their time together in God’s Word, he asked the village, “Who will go to those people?” The village elder stood up and said, “We will.” This young man was just 23.
Youth Used by God for His GlorY
Time and time again we see youth used by God. In the Scriptures, in Christian history, and today, it’s a big part of what He does. Of course, youth are just crazy enough to believe that God can do incredible things. They are passionate, bold, and they don’t let life experiences stop them from obeying Jesus.
Ultimately, though, I suspect God uses youth because of how they display His glory. He uses youth because of all the ways we stereotype them. It is because they are uneducated, naive, and lack maturity that God uses them. If they are humble and they love Jesus, that’s all that’s needed. God takes care of the rest.
When God uses a humble-hearted, Jesus-loving youth, there will be no doubt of who is doing the work. It’s God! So, if you are a youth out there, or a parent or mentor of youth, keep this Scriptural truth in mind: God uses youth to do incredible things in His Kingdom.
Stay humble, and love Jesus with everything. You will be amazed what He does!
