Youth Discipleship Notes

Youth Discipleship #1

A Four-Generation Vision

Discipleship Through the Family of God

• Presented in 2023-07

Paul & Timothy

2 Timothy 2:1-2

• 'You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.'
• Original Greek: οὖν

2 Timothy 1:3-5

• 2 Timothy 1:3-5
  • 'I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.'
  • 'Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.'
  • 'I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.'
• Genealogy:
  • Lois → Eunice → Timothy
  • Ancestors → Paul → Timothy

2 Timothy 2:1-2 (Review)

• 2 Timothy 2:1-2
  • 'You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.'
• Discipleship Chain:
  • Paul → Timothy → Faithful people → Others

Spiritual Ancestors

Opening Discussion

• Questions to consider:
  • Who are the Paul’s / Lois’ / Eunice’s / spiritual ancestors in your life?
  • Write one name down.
  • Consider what they entrusted to you.
  • Sharing.

Timothy's in Your Life

Opening Discussion II

• Questions to consider:
  • Who are the Timothy’s in your life?
  • Write one name down.
  • Consider what you have entrusted to them.
  • Sharing.

Defining Youth

Discussion

• Discuss: who are youth?
• Breakout Discussion:
  • In what ways are youth similar to “big kids” in your context?
  • In what ways are youth similar to “little adults” in your context?

Youth Vocabulary

• Terms:
  • "Adolescents"
  • "Teenagers"
  • "Youth"
  • "Students"
  • "Minors"
  • "Children"
• Context of Use:
  • "Adolescents": Used in medical, psychological, and developmental settings.
  • "Teenagers": Popular culture.
  • "Youth": Cultural, church, and governmental settings.
  • "Students": Academic and church settings.
  • "Minors": Legal settings
• Starting Event:
  • "Adolescents": Puberty
  • "Teenagers": 13th birthday
  • "Youth": Completion of primary school?
  • "Students": Completion of primary school?
  • "Minors": Birth
• Ending Event:
  • "Adolescents": Full development of frontal cortex in the brain? ($25$?)
  • "Teenagers": 20th birthday
  • "Youth": Marriage? Job? Kids?
  • "Students": Completion of university OR entry into the workforce
  • "Minors": Age of Consent, Driving, Drinking, Voting, Enlistment
• Ages:
  • "Adolescents": $8$? – $25$?
  • "Teenagers": $13-19$
  • "Youth": $10-29$; $15-24$ (UN); $15-40$ (Malaysia)
  • "Students": $5-22$?
  • "Minors": $0-16$, $18$, $21$, $25$?
• Who Decided?
  • "Adolescents": Doctors & Researchers
  • "Teenagers": Western Culture
  • "Youth": Culture
  • "Students": Schools
  • "Minors": Government 2022 Draft Young Person National Youth Development Policy, Malaysia

Views of Youth in the Church

• Perspectives:
  • Big Kids
  • Little Adults
  • Adolescents
  • “Teenagers”: “Inexperienced adults of varying maturity.”
  • “YOUTH”

A Four-Generation Vision

• Diagram showcasing interconnectedness and influence across generations, featuring individuals like Paul, Timothy, Silas, Priscilla & Aquila, Epaphras, and Titus.

A Four-Generation Vision (Simplified)

• Visual representation of the relationships: You, Your Youth, Their Friends.

Key Questions

• Questions to reflect on:
  • Who is discipling you?
  • Who are you discipling?