1 Timothy 4:12 –
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.
This chapter was short and difficult to pick a single verse because it was so filled with interesting insights. We had warnings about false teachers, which I could go on for a long time since the truth gets clouded quickly by these “silver tonged devils.” Then my favorite subject of food get touched on, how we must not be led by people who say not to eat food God provided. So is pork ok or not? Then it talks about training and hard work, both physically and spiritually. Then we get to this point about youth and authority.
This will always be difficult for younger people, to have authority over older ones. Unfortunately the older we get the less likely we are to follow ones who are younger than we are. Hence the dilemma Timothy, and you to some extent, face in his ministry. I am sure Jesus as a thirty something ruffled the feather of the “old guard” by preaching outside their “box” and being young. It’s something I unfortunately am not struggling with any more, instead I get the “you don’t know, you’re old” argument.
So it goes into your knowledge and research. If you plan on leading, you must be knowledgeable as well as what Paul describes to Timothy. Don’t just talk the talk, but walk it also! This is not just for younger teachers, but for ALL teachers. The younger you are the more focused you must be to ensure these things hold true. Not saying that older ones need to do the same, but the younger you are the more easily “swayed” you are from the truth. Therefore to have authority, you must be rock solid in your understanding, beliefs and actions.