It’s back. And this time it’s hip. Maybe you’ve read about the “new atheism.” Trendy Wired magazine did a cover story. Pop illusionists Penn and Teller serve as front men. Books by its acolytes linger on Amazon’s and The New York Times best-seller lists.
It’s not the cartoonish Madalyn Murray O’Hair going after prayer in schools. This time, it’s reasonable, thoughtful writers and scientists going after the minds of the young. Fed up with religious faith, they are rigorously and purposely targeting the kids entrusted to our care—actively evangelizing them for atheism.
They’re well resourced and scary connected.
But don’t hit the panic button yet. God has been preparing His people for these kinds of onslaughts since day one (actually, Day Six). In a style that suggests today’s youth ministry worker-student relationship, in
Scripture Text
As you read the verses below, note the desperation in Paul’s instructions pertaining to the gospel and “sound teaching.” You may want to mark these instructions with a bold, page-embossing exclamation point.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Think About It
Apparently, a ramped-up assault on the Christian faith had been launched against the church in Asia—and Phygelus and Hermogenes had been easily picked off. Paul saw firsthand that new believers are easy prey. His words to Timothy were a mayday from the combat zone, communicating exactly what was needed to win: Keep, guard and entrust our sacred message!
These are not casual words. They convey intensity. Thoroughness. The Greek word for “keep” connoted possession and ownership. The word “guard” carried the notion of guarding something from being snatched away.
When you see “entrust,” picture an archer firing an arrow at a faraway target. If he’s off just a hair at launch, he’ll be off by a mile at the target. Accuracy is paramount.
Is there room for this intensity and thoroughness in today’s fast-paced youth ministry? Let’s hope so.
Apply It
Take a quick mental inventory of your youth ministry. What’s going on that parallels Paul’s intensity toward keeping, guarding and entrusting God’s sacred message?
This is more than the dissemination of raw information. It’s the kind of teaching that penetrates the surface and seeps into the soul. And as it seeps, it changes things, mixing with the Holy Spirit to form an impenetrable shield. It’s teaching with the goal that the student will someday be the teacher.
It’s teaching as if everyone’s life depends on it. Because it does.
Research gurus have well documented the fact that Christian teens rank low in their ability to articulate the tenets of the Christian faith. With ideas like the “new” atheism moving through the culture at blog-speed, leaving the gospel message unguarded may be particularly disastrous.
Often, we’re looking for fresh vision in our student ministries. With today’s full-court press against faith, let’s look no further than 2 Timothy. It’s a vision statement that writes itself: Keep, guard and entrust.
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A 20-year youth ministry veteran, Barry Shafer is the founder and director of InWord Resources (www.inword.org), a ministry that encourages depth in youth ministry by enabling students and youth workers to become better equipped with God’s Word. Shafer is the author of numerous student devotionals and smallgroup studies, including James: 12 Inductive Sessions on Practical Christianity (YS).
