SUNDAY MARCH 13, 2022

SO FAR THIS WEEK

Throughout the week we have looked at dealing with contemporary challenges of the Youth. We have seen that we live in a time where many young people are facing a lot of physical and spiritual challenges, a time where popular culture, the media, and academic philosophies are shaping the mindset of many young people. Many young people have their plates full of issues and challenges to deal with.

Gambling, sexual immorality, occultism, materialism, social media addiction, peer pressure, drug and alcohol abuse, internet fraud, lack of employment opportunities, illiteracy, failure to succeed in the educational system, violence on the streets, rapid social changes, fear of the future, family Problems and exclusion of the youth from decision making process that affect their lives, the list goes on and on.

The youth constitute the highest population in Africa, and they are the most vulnerable, less privileged, and unattended to in society. Many young people have become victims of negativity and unproductiveness because they are neither schooling nor engaging in economic activities. There is a common saying: “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” This is the reality behind many young people getting into the streets, and involving themselves in robbery, drug/substance abuse, violence etc.

In order to eradicate and/or reduce the high unemployment rate among the youth, the Church must help get the youth engaged in profitable activities such as educational programmes, vocational and entrepreneurial skill training to make them self-reliant. As young people, we must never forgo our relationship with God, because the Bible says that with God all things are possible.

Prayer Guide: Pray that the Lord will grant you the strength to deal with challenges facing you as a youth.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK: 1 Timothy 4:12-13 (NIV) – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”