“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
– 1 Timothy 4:12
There is so much division in our culture today and we see a lack of respect shared between older and younger generations. While there may be a lot of talking, shouting, or even blaming going on, there’s a lack of listening or seeking to understand another point of view. But there is a lot we can learn from each other, and we may be surprised to realize how much we can relate.
I’m encouraged that all this month on “The Garlow Perspective,” Jim Garlow is addressing the topic of Millennials because he has a passion to see their hearts turned toward strong faith and morality. Jim says that our goal should be to understand the values and attitudes of this unique age group and explore ways to empower them for maximum Christian impact in the future.
On a particular program, he offers some advice to Millennial and Gen Z Christians . . .
- Don’t lose heart at what you’re seeing around you.
God has called and created you with a great destiny. In fact, you can be part of the solution to the problems around you, but like the older generation, you must do your part.
- Use your voice and influence.
Learn to ask people questions, and use those to challenge their problematic positions, helping them to know biblical truth. When you do challenge an idea that seems wrong, don’t be contentious, but instead remain calm and genuine in your pursuit of answers. You’ll help your friends think about why they believe what they believe, and they may even question whether they’re right.
- Above all, spend more time becoming well versed in God’s Word.
It was written to help us know how God has called us to live.
And, what would Jim say to the older generation?
That’s more for another program, but primarily, Jim would say that now is the time to reach out to Millennials, repairing much of what we’ve let the culture do to them. He says,
Recognizing that Millennials were raised in a world that gave them trophies just for showing up, encouragement has to be part of reaching them. As we learn to become better encouragers and to connect with Millennials and younger generations on a personal level, we’ll discover they’re actually motivated and open to change through relationships.
It’s messages like these that communicate the gospel to a needy world, giving us hope for the future that we really can come together, especially as believers, in order to share Truth—a mission that you’re participating in every day through the ministry of your station. And we are grateful for your partnership that helps spread this message of encouragement.
>>For more from Jim Garlow, visit www.wellversedworld.org.
