Praying for Our Lord’s Strength and Blessings on Today’s Young Christians

On Sunday, May 19, two young men will be confirmed at First Lutheran Church where I am serving as vacancy pastor. Kennon and Ryland Brown have studied with me by Zoom throughout the school year. We worked through 40 different chapters to learn about Jesus, to learn about their Christian faith, to prepare for Christian life. I met with these young men on Tuesday, May 14, to go over the ceremony, and to talk about what will happen. But, in our assigned Gospel lesson for last Sunday, from John 17, Jesus prayed for His disciples because, “the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14) So, in this world which hates Jesus’ disciples, what will happen to the faith of these two young men after Confirmation Day?

Lutherans do not see faith in Jesus primarily as OUR decision for God. We believe, as we heard Jesus say in John 15:16 two weeks ago in worship, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide . . .” Our faith in Jesus begins when God calls us. He calls us in baptism. He calls us by His Word, through His Spirit. Our faith begins with our Lord reaching out in grace toward us.

Nevertheless, on Confirmation Day, after being called to faith by God in baptism, after opportunities to learn at home, at church, and even in confirmation classes, these young followers of Jesus publicly declare their faith. Jesus taught His disciples, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 10:32) As we practiced on Tuesday, as these young men again affirmed during practice, they will share publicly that they believe Jesus is God’s Son, their Savior.

It is perhaps the ultimate understatement to declare that living a s a Christian is not easy. Living as a faithful disciple of our Lord has NEVER been easy! On Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, we will learn of God’s help for our faith by His Spirit. However, there is another kind of help I would like you to consider. On the one hand, it is parents who are called to teach their children about God’s love. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6) (See also Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Deuteronomy 11: 18-19, Ephesians 6:4, and others) But, please also consider, parents need help too! The help I ask you to think about is to please assist these parents by personally encouraging these two young men in their Christian faith.

I don’t know about your kids, but sometimes my own children were not sure Mom and Dad were all that smart. However, if someone else, another adult they respected, told my children the same thing which I had said, it was amazing how my kids listened. Moses mentored Joshua. Paul mentored Timothy. Peter mentored Mark. Have you ever thought about speaking a word of encouragement to a little child or to a young person? I was 3 years old when my pastor’s wife first suggested I might become a pastor. Children do listen to other adults. Have you encouraged faith, or mentored a young person?

I encourage you to speak to the young people of your congregation about their faith in Jesus, about their Christian life. Thank them for attending worship. (That’s not a normal practice in today’s world.) Tell the children and young people in your congregation that you appreciate their faith, their participation. Thank them for their service. Ask them if they have any questions. Teach them in Sunday School or VBS. Suggest they might become a a pastor, or a DCE, or professional church worker. Welcome them into your home. Include them in home devotions. Ahem . . . take them fishing. 😊

While we celebrate Pentecost and Confirmation Day this coming Sunday, last Sunday was Mother’s Day. A number of years ago, on Mother’s Day, my wife received a message from a young man who is a friend of one of my sons. The message read, “It took a lot of Moms to raise me. Thank you for being one of them.”

This Sunday the confession of faith by Kennon and Ryland will bless the members of First Lutheran Church. What a joy to hear and see young people who truly believe in Jesus in today’s world. Please make a point, on Sunday or in the coming weeks, to thank them for their faith and encourage them to continue. Their parents will appreciate your help. Someday these young men may thank you themselves, perhaps like that message my wife received.