Teenagers have a hard time today.  They want to fit in, but that often means compromising their values.

God wants us to NOT fit in.

Timothy was such a man who did not fit in.  We don’t know his age when he came into the ministry, but he was a young man.

God didn’t care about his youth, He cared about His heart.  The Apostle Paul was a mentor to Timothy.  Paul gave Timothy priceless advice and Timothy

I TIm. 4:12 → Don’t let those older than you look down on you.  Be an example to the believers in word, conduct, spirit, faith, and purity.

Our teens, pre-teens are faced with a harsh world five days a week.  Our teens are subjected to cursing day after day in school.

1.)  Paul told Timothy to watch what was coming out of his mouth.  

It is important for a young man and lady to be pure in their speech and stay away from the temptation to fit in.

Why is that so important?  What comes out of mouth originates in our heart.

Luke 6:45 → If you are a good man, good things will come out of your heart.  Out of the abundance of his mouth, his heart speaks.  Is our speech uplifting or his is condemning -- it is a mirror to our heart.

Prov. 16:24 → Pleasant words are like a honeycomb.  They are sweetness to soul and health to the bones.

2.)  Be an example of good conduct

Proper conduct is important in life.  Focus on manners and conduct when rearing our children.  Good manners and conduct will make you stand out because this society is going the other way.

Prov. 20:11 → Even children are known by the way we act.  Whether their conduct is pure and if it is right.  God refers to our conduct as fruits.

Matt. 7:16 → You will know them by their fruits.

Skills to teach kids.  Have them maintain eye contact.  Another skill is how to shake hands, it should be firm.  A child needs to carry on a conversation.

Another important part of conduct is to show respect for adults, starting with your parents.  If our kids don’t respect us as parents, they won’t respect their managers, the law, or God.

Prov. 29:17 → Correct you children and they will give us rest.  If we are consistent, our kids will give us rest.

3.)  Be an example in your love

We live in a cold, cruel world.  Many people are selfish in their pursuit in life.  They don’t care who they hurt in their life.

How do we accomplish this?  Watch what you say about others.  Watch how you treat others, especially those who aren’t your friends.

Be sure to not join in on the peer pressure to pick on other kids.

Psalms 1:1-6 → Do not stand with sinners and mockers.  The righteous are like strong trees by the riverbank.

Remove yourself from those who torture the weak.  God takes this very seriously.

Prov. 14:31 → Give the poor comfort.  It shows honor to the God we worship.

4.)  Be an example of your faith in God

There is 2 callings going our youth.  One is from God, the other is from this world.  The world tries to reach us through our physical senses.  What feels good, what sounds good.  It is incredibly powerful.  

The peace of God is more satisfying that anything we can do with our senses.  How do churches today attract youth to God.

Prov. 23:26 → God asks us for our heart.  This is done through obedience.  His whole focus is for our good.  He give us commands because He loves us.  

Prov. 1:7 → Reference God in our life to gain knowledge.  Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

5.)  Be an example in your purity

Technology has given youth great access to damage themselves.  God created us clean, but the more junk we put - the more polluted we become.

Prov. 1:10 → If sinners entice you, do not consent.

Psalm 119:9 → Stay pure by obeying God’s word, not the pleasing of our senses.  

Prov. 4:20 → Let God’s words penetrate deep into your heart.

Guard your heart above all else.