God’s Appeal To Youth

I am reminded over and over again how God's work can be accomplished through young people. In fact it is my firm conviction that the enthusiasm and vigor of young people will finish the work of spreading the gospel to every kindred tribe and nation.( I am including those here in our own intercity and all those who really do not know who Jesus is and what wonderful salvation He died to bestow on each one who will accept this gift)

This past Sabbath, I shared in my church some of the things that some of you have shared with me that is happening in your lives. The young people in our little church were inspired by what they heard is happening in your lives.

I know that there is much more to tell than what I know, so please, share with us more of what you are learning and how God is blessing you and your friends as you study His Word. Pray that God will guide you to share and what you should share. I am so thankful for the way He is blessing each of you.

1. What blessings do children receive from their parents?
a. Provision for material needs. “What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? You know how to give good gifts unto your children.” Matthew 7:9–11.
b. Instruction and spiritual guidance. “Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.” Proverbs 4:1. “The father to the children shall make, known Thy truth.” Isaiah 38:19.

2. For these benefits and blessings what do children owe their parents?
“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.” Exodus 20: 12. “You shall fear every man his mother, and his father.” Leviticus 19:3.

3. From where should their respect and obedience spring?
“My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes observe My ways.” Proverbs 23:26. “My son, forget not My law; but let your-heart keep My commandments.” Proverbs 3:1.

4. When should parents receive special respect?
“Hearken unto thy father that began thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” Proverbs 23: 22.

5. On what occasion did Jesus call attention to this commandment?
“Thou knows the commandments. Honor thy father and mother.” Mark 10:19.

6. Who else emphasized the continued obligation of the fifth commandment?
“Children, obey your Parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Colossians 3:20. “Children, obey your Parents, in the Lord: for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1.

7. What special feature did Paul note concerning this commandment?
“Which is the first commandment with Promise.” Ephesians 6:2, 3.

8. In what way did God promise to reward obedient children?
a. Life and health. “My son, attend to My words; incline your ear unto My sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4: 20-22. “For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” Proverbs 3: 2.
b. Favor with God and man. “So shall thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3: 4.

9. How is the life of a loving parent enriched by a devoted child?
“The father of the righteous shall’ greatly rejoice: and he that begets a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.” Proverbs 23: 24, 25.

10. On the other hand, what does the foolish son bring to his parents?
“A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.” Proverbs 17: 25. “Who so keeps the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father.” Proverbs 28:7.

11. What example of parental guidance did Abraham set?
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Genesis 18:19.

12. How did Isaac in turn manifest his filial devotion?
“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” Genesis 22:8. “And they came to the place which G6d had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.” Genesis 28:9.

13. What respect did Jacob show for his parents’ counsel?
“Thou shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan and Jacob obeyed his father and his mother.” Genesis 28:6, 7.

14. What beautiful example of devotion is recorded of Ruth?
“And Ruth said, entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goes, I will go; and where thou lodges, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Ruth 1:16,17.

15. How did Jesus show His respect for His parents?
“And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them.” Luke 2:51.

16. What example of love for His mother did Jesus give on the cross?
“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He said unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then said He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” John 19:26,27.

17. Because of the neglect of this commandment, what tragic situation will arise in the last days?
“Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.” Mark 13:12.
“In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be disobedient to parents.” 2 Timothy 3:1,2.

18. What blessed reconciliation, however, will also be brought about in preparation for the eternal kingdom?
“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” Malachi 4:6. “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17.