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Witnessing to Youth About God's Grace

Witnessing to youth about God's grace involves communicating the good news of salvation and God's unmerited favor, emphasizing its transformative power and the call to a life of faith and obedience. The concept of grace itself is central to Christian theology, described as God's unmerited favor and a gift from Him [5]. It is through grace that individuals are delivered from evil and enabled to do good works, not merely knowing what should be done, but doing it with love [13].

The gospel, which exhibits the grace of God, is described as good tidings of great joy for all people, bringing life and immortality to light through Jesus Christ [2]. This message is not only for adults but is also intended for the young. Scripture indicates that children are capable of glorifying God and should be brought to Christ and instructed in His ways from an early age [3]. Psalm 71:17 states, "O God, You have taught me from my youth; and until now I have declared Your wonders" [1]. John Gill interprets this verse as David reflecting on being taught from his youth about the corruption of human nature, the need for Christ's righteousness and strength, and the will and ways of God [8]. This suggests that foundational theological truths, including the nature of grace, can and should be imparted to youth.

The manifestation of God's grace is to be exhibited with prudence [6]. This implies a thoughtful and wise approach to communicating these truths to young people. The apostle Paul, for instance, highlights that the riches of God's grace are exhibited in His kindness through Christ, and the glory of His grace is seen in our acceptance in Christ [5]. This message of acceptance and kindness is particularly relevant when engaging with youth.

Augustine, a significant patristic theologian, emphasized the gratuitous nature of grace, particularly in the case of infants. He argued that infants, in receiving grace, have no will or prior good deserts, thus demonstrating that grace is given freely by God [9]. He further illustrates this by pointing to the human nature of Christ, which had no merit to earn its unique union with the Son of God, showcasing God's grace in its purest form [11]. This understanding underscores that grace is not earned by human effort, a crucial point for youth to grasp, as it counters any notion of having to "be good enough" to receive God's favor.

The importance of early instruction in the ways of God is a recurring theme. Children are encouraged to remember their Creator in their youth and to fear, serve, and worship Him [10, 3]. Good children are described as those who know the Scriptures, observe God's law, and obey their parents, which is pleasing to God [4]. This holistic approach to spiritual formation, beginning in youth, naturally includes an understanding of God's grace as the foundation for such a life.

Witnessing to youth about God's grace also involves presenting the gospel as the power of God unto salvation [2]. This message is everlasting and glorious [2]. Ministers are given the stewardship to preach this gospel [2]. The example of Christ, who spoke with grace and was full of grace, serves as a model for how to communicate these truths [5]. The goal is to encourage repentance and godliness, setting an example for young people to be diligent in their faith [12].

Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, discusses the role of God in conversion, noting that while some might think humans contribute their part, it is God who directs hearts [7]. This perspective reinforces the idea that even the desire to turn to God is ultimately a work of grace, which is a profound concept for youth to consider as they navigate their spiritual journeys. The emphasis on God's initiative in salvation through grace provides a secure foundation for faith, rather than relying on human ability or merit.

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 71:17 (LITV) — O God, You have taught me from my youth; and until now I have declared Your wonders.”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children, Good — The Lord is with -- 1Sa 3:19. Know the Scriptures -- 2Ti 3:15. Observe the law of God -- Pr 28:7. Their obedience to parents is well pleasing to God -- Col 3:20. Partake of the promises of God -- Ac 2:39. Shall be blessed -- Pr 3:1-4; Eph 6:2,3. Show love to parents -- Ge 46:29. Obey parents -- Ge 28:7; 47:30. Attend to parental teaching -- Pr 13:1. Take care of parents -- Ge 45:9,11; 47:12. Make their parents' hearts glad -- Pr 10:1; 29:17. Honour the aged -- Job 32:6,7. Adduced as a motive for submission to God -- Heb 12:9. Spirit of, a requisite f”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
  7. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 41: the others have been voluntary agents in acting, if the Lord Jesus had not directed their hearts? 9. Some, who would be thought more acute, endeavour to evade all these passages, by the quibble, that there is nothing to hinder us from contributing our part, while God, at the same time, supplies our deficiencies. They, moreover, adduce passages from the Prophets, in which the work of our conversion seems to be shared between God and ourselves; “Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hos”
  8. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 71:17: O God, thou hast taught me from my youth,.... The corruption of human nature; the weakness and impotence of it, to everything that is spiritually good; and the need of continual strength and grace from Christ, to go to him for righteousness and strength, life and salvation, and to walk by faith on him; the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, and the insufficiency of his own; the will, ways, and worship of God; and all the duties of religion, prayer, praise, &c. and whoever were the instruments, or whatever were the means, of teaching David these”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 44 [XXII.] -- GRATUITOUS GRACE EXEMPLIFIED IN INFANTS. (part 1): Men, however, may suppose that there are certain good deserts which they think are precedent to justification through God's grace; all the while failing to see, when they express such an opinion, that they do nothing else than deny grace. But, as I have already remarked, let them suppose what they like respecting the case of adults, in the case of infants, at any rate, the Pelagians find no means of answering the difficulty. For these in receiving grace have no will; from the influen”
  10. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 148:12: Both young men, and maidens,.... These should praise the Lord, the one for their strength, the other for their beauty; and both should remember their Creator in the days of their youth, and fear, serve, and worship him; so they will praise and glorify him, as did Obadiah, Josiah, Timothy, and the four daughters of Philip the evangelist; old men, and children; the former have had a large experience of the providential goodness of God, and, if good men, of the grace of God, and are under great obligation to praise the Lord for all that he has done for them; for they”
  11. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 36 .--THE GRACE OF GOD IS CLEARLY AND REMARKABLY DISPLAYED IN RAISING THE MAN CHRIST JESUS TO THE DIGNITY OF THE SON OF GOD. (part 1): Now here the grace of God is displayed with the greatest power and clearness. For what merit had the human nature in the man Christ earned, that it should in this unparalleled way be taken up into the unity of the person of the only Son of God ? What goodness of will, what goodness of desire and intention, what good works, had gone before, which made this man worthy to become one person with God? Had He been ”
  12. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — CHAP. XIX.--REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY SUFFER.: So then, brothers and sisters,(2) after the God of truth(3) I address to you an appeal that ye may give heed to the words written,(4) that ye may save both yourselves and him who reads an address in your midst. For as a reward I ask of you repentance with the whole heart, while ye bestow upon yourselves salvation and life. For by so doing we shall set a mark for all the young who wish to be diligent in godliness and the goodness of God. And let not us, in our folly, ”
  13. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 3 [II.]--WHAT THE GRACE OF GOD: THROUGH JESUS CHRIST IS. For the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord must be apprehended,--as that by which alone men are delivered from evil, and without which they do absolutely no good thing, whether in thought, or will and affection, or in action; not only in order that they may know, by the manifestation of that grace, what should be done, but moreover in order that, by its enabling, they may do with love what they know. Certainly the apostle asked for this inspiration of good will and work on behalf of ”
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