Written by Nathanael Goh
When I was younger in the faith, especially in my early days, I often received encouragement from senior brethren whenever I served the church even when I felt I could have done better. I still remember doing scripture reading shortly after my baptism, and it was done through teary eyes and shaky legs hidden by the pulpit podium. I was very terrified of standing on the pulpit. Yet, the encouragement came anyway.
They weren’t looking at how well I did. They were encouraged that I had taken the first step. To be honest, back then I didn’t quite get it. I remember thinking, Isn’t this just my duty? Why is this even worth mentioning? (I was a pretty blur kid back then… and sometimes now too)
Fast forward many years later. After supporting the Youth Ministry here at Kota Kemuning, I’ve found myself reflecting more deeply on the role young people play in the congregation and the impact their example has on others. This reflection was shaped by hands-on ministry experience, the theme for our Church Camp 2025, “Together for Tomorrow” where we reflected on the value of three generations working together – Roots (Anchors), the Trunk (Bridge), and Branches (Reaching) and a recent Sunday Bible class taught by bro. Willy. Through all of this, the words of Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12 have taken on new and deeper meaning for me.
With that in mind, the rest of this article reflects on Paul’s reminder in 1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no one despise your youth but be an example to the believers…”
The Flame of Faith and the Energy of Youth
Faith is like a flame. It’s first ignited when we understand and obey the gospel, often accompanied by strong zeal and conviction. The Bible reminds us in Hebrews 10:24–25 not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but to stir one another up to love and good works. When we are among like-minded brethren, that flame burns brighter.
But if we’re honest, over time things can start to feel routine. Life gets busy. Responsibilities pile up. Fatigue sets in. Sometimes, life just drain the energy right out of us. And when that happens, the flame can dim.
This is where the energy of younger ones whether young in age or young in faith becomes incredibly contagious. Their zeal, growth, willingness to serve, and humility often rekindle something in the rest of us. They remind us why we started. They inspire us to keep going.
The Impact Youth Have on the Congregation
Young people help move the congregation forward. They are often the hands and feet that get things going, full of energy, ideas, and potential. They are not just “the future church”, they are a vital part of the church today.
Here in Kota Kemuning, I’m deeply grateful for our young ones who have taken initiative to serve in so many areas: teaching and worship; care and community; children’s classes; evangelism and outreach; media and communications; mission-minded efforts; leadership; and sacrificial service. Seeing them grow while serving is genuinely encouraging.
One thing I’ve noticed is that many of us start life with the courage to try and fail. But after being hit a few times by disappointment, expectations, or our own shortcomings, we often become more hesitant, more afraid to step out. I know I am. Yet when I see younger ones stepping up fearlessly, willing to try even if they might make mistakes, it encourages me. It pushes me to do what I need to do even when it’s uncomfortable and challenging.
3 Things to Watch Out for Along the Way
While the Youth bring energy and passion, there are also real challenges to be mindful of.
Self-management is crucial. The Bible reminds us to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). This includes managing our emotions, dissatisfaction, exhaustion, or burnout and our thoughts, especially when things may look right in our own eyes at that moment (Proverbs 18:17). Even in service, overextending ourselves can quietly lead to resentment, making us feel that others don’t care as much. Left unchecked, this can hurt both our faith and our relationships.
Conflict resolution is another area we can’t avoid. Disagreements and misunderstandings will happen in church work. Sometimes we speak when we’re tired or emotionally drained, and words come out wrong. That’s why Bible urges us to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (James 1:19). Humility is often the first step – taking a step back to ask: Am I fighting for my own preference, or standing for God’s word? Some things can be discussed and negotiated; others cannot.
Then there’s discouragement from within. This one is hard to talk about, but it’s real. Sometimes, the greatest discouragement doesn’t come from outside the church, but from within – from our own brethren. It may show up as a lack of understanding, cooperation, or commitment. While this is unfortunate, it helps to remember that the church is like a hospital – a place where wounded and imperfect people come to be healed. None of us are flawless. As difficult as it may be, we must not allow the actions of others to derail our walk with God. Instead, we are called to continue being an example, even when it’s hard. At the same time, let this be a gentle reminder to ourselves: let us not become a source of discouragement to others. We are working together for the glory of God, called to help one another stay in the race. So don’t lose heart, there will always be a source of encouragement if we keep looking in the right places.
As we conclude, here are some key takeaways:
For the Youth:
- Seek first wisdom from God: Like King Solomon (1 King 3:5-9), who asked God for wisdom when he became king, a reverent dependence on God shapes both character and the path ahead.
- Have a heart of humility: Knowing that we always have room to grow is one of the greatest advantages in life. Where fear and arrogance limit others, humility opens the door to growth and fulfilment (Proverbs 22:4).
- Have the conviction to get back up: Be watchful lest you fall but when you do fall, have the courage to rise again. Know who to seek help from and keep choosing to do the right thing (Proverbs 24:16).
For the Congregation:
- Guide them: Offer wisdom, walk through the pros and cons, help them think through decisions rather than simply imposing ideas, and show a pattern of good works (Titus 2:2–8). Inter-generational work isn’t always easy. Older members may feel the younger ones don’t fully see the bigger picture, while younger ones may feel the older generation doesn’t quite understand the needs of today. But when the pros and cons are laid out openly, it creates space for honest, objective discussion and helps everyone better weigh the impact of the decisions being made.
- Support and encourage: Take time to listen. Speak words that build up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:29). When correction is needed, do it in private, offer constructive feedback, and choose your words carefully because they can either strengthen someone’s faith or discourage them deeply.
- Pray for them: Pray for their growth, for smooth operations in their service, and for fruitfulness in all that they do (Colossians 1:9-11).
When youth are allowed to serve, grow, and be guided with love, the whole body is strengthened. In doing so, we live out Paul’s exhortation not allowing youth to be despised, but letting their faith and example inspire and encourage others.