I TIMOTHY: Bring Children to Christ Early; "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers. Do not neglect the gift that is in you!"

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. (I Timothy 4:12-14) 

In this section of the letter, Paul establishes proper conduct in various relationships within the family, the church and then outside the church.  But first, he points out to Timothy let no one despise your youth.  Timothy must have been somewhat timid when he went on his assignments to the various Gentile churches.  Paul even wrote to the church in Corinth, And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him. (I Corinthians 16:10-11)

God uses all people of all races and all ages, and if He calls someone into the ministry of spreading the gospel of Christ Jesus at a young age, then we who are older should embrace them spiritually and help guide them.  Throughout scripture, God has iterated the benefits of accepting His calling at a young age. Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: ... Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed,... (Ecclesiastes 12:1, 6) It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth. (Lamentations 3:27)

But children won't just make the right decision or accept the calling of God on their own without the guidance of their parents and other mature and wise Christians. Often parents will say, "I'm going to let my child make their own decision about whether to believe in God or not." WRONG!  God is clear, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) ... bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6;4)

The scripture is full of so many examples of how raising our children from conception to birth to when they reach their age of accountability will make all the difference in the kind of person they will become.  Not that they won't do wrong, because ...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23) But when the Truth, God's Word is planted into them early, more than likely when he is old he will not depart from it. 

The prophet Samuel was used mightily by God during the reigns of Kings Saul, David and Samuel.  But from the beginning of his life, his mother first prayed that God would bless her with a child; and after He did, she dedicated the child to Him. And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I amthe woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there. (I Samuel 1:26-28) But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. ... And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men. (I Samuel 2:18-19, 26)

King David declared regarding himself, But You are He who took Me out of the womb;You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God. (Psalm 22:9-10) When his son, Solomon became king, he prayed to God, "O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know howto go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (I King 3:7-9)

King Josiah was a child when he became King of Judah. Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David;... (II Chronicles 32:1-3)

We've all heard about Daniel (aka Belteshazzar) in the lion's den and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (aka Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego) in the fiery furnace. But how did they survive those tests and trials of their faith while Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had besieged Jerusalem? But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;... As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. (Daniel 1:8, 17)

Jesus made it very clear that children are to be brought to Him from the earliest of ages. Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17)

Parents and guardians, we have an awesome responsibility, and we must take it very seriously.  How we raise our children now will determine the kind of world and society we live in later.  Let's follow the clear instructions of God's Word, and "bring" them to Christ Jesus at an early age.  Let us be an example to the children in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity;  give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you! 

Let's raise our children to be just like Jesus, Who went about His Father's business from an early age, while still honoring Mary and Joseph; And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. ... And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. ...

Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them [Mary and Joseph] and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:21-52)  AMEN!