Years ago, Dr. Albert Mohler wrote about a disturbing trend among young people:
The transition to adulthood used to be one of the main goals of the young. Adulthood was seen to be a status worth achieving and was understood to be a set of responsibilities worth fulfilling. At least, that’s the way it used to be. Now, an entire generation seems to be finding itself locked in the grip of eternal youth, unwilling or unable to grow up.
(What If There Are No Adults? at AlbertMohler.com)
As parents and teachers, are we in any way—even inadvertently—participating in this trend? Or, are we encouraging our young people to heed this call expressed by John Piper:Be careful young people that you don’t postpone the burden and the blessing of fruitfulness in your life because you use the excuse, “I am only a youth.” God said to Jeremiah, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth;’ for to all to whom I send you, you shall go.” There are some younger than you that you can lead, and there are some older than you that you can serve. But do not say, “I am only a youth,” as though the only thing you are good for is watching videos and playing games, as though there is no ministry for you to do.
(“Let No One Despise You for Your Youth,” ©2014 Desiring God Foundation. Used by Permission.)
In order to encourage this call to maturity, here is a free lesson titled “Not Prolonging Adolescence” (from our curriculum Rejoicing in God's Good Design). Here are the stated goals of this lesson:- To counter a prevailing notion that youthfulness is a time of irresponsibility, laziness, and self-centeredness
- To give young men and women a vision for their youth—a vision of learning, skill-building, and increasing responsibilities and privileges
