by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
I don’t know about you, but I feel a strong sense of indebtedness to our young people, for
they give us so much, so often. I try to think of the young people among us when I am preparing
and presenting my sermons. I want my sermons to be interesting and impressive to them. They are
some of the most important members of my audience. In teaching, I want the presentation to be
down to earth, so clear that even a child can understand it accurately.
I remember when our children were young, how they brightened and energized our home. A
few moments with them could get me through the dark or depressing times, because they were so
hopeful, so faithful! Jesus said, “Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise
enter into the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 18:3). I want to be always childlike—not childish—
but always retaining the purity, innocence and hopefulness of youth.
There is an amazing humility in young people. They are so trusting, so vulnerable. That’s
why Jesus went on to say, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 18:4). Our young people teach us the
importance of humility, which is the first step in salvation.
I am also reminded that Jesus loves children, and I had better love them too. “Jesus loves the
little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in
His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” If I find myself at odds with children, I need
to take a long look inside, because the chances are good that I am estranged from my Lord. “And
whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me,” (Matthew 18:5). I ask myself,
“What would our little children think of the way I am acting right now?”
We owe our children so much! The least we can do is try to guide them in the right way, the
way they should go to be pleasing to God throughout their life. And, of course, we must be
scrupulously careful to avoid even the slightest offense or discouragement to our young people.
“But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for
him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth
of the sea,” (Matthew 18:6). This is a horribly graphic picture, one that is designed to immediately
impress upon us the seriousness of harming a child. We must be very, very careful in the way we
act and the way we speak in front of children.
We should never speak disparagingly about the church in front of children. We should never
insult or ridicule our brothers or sisters in Christ in front of our children. We should never in front
of children be critical of the preacher, or the sermon, or the Bible class lesson, or the other public
presentations during worship because doing so can shatter their precious faith. Our thoughtless
criticisms can cause our children to stumble. Our mockery, making light of or jesting about the
sermon, if done in the hearing of young people, can cost them and us our souls. Woe is me if I am
a discouragement to our precious young people!
We need to find more ways to help our youth! We need to be encouraging them and lifting
them up throughout life. We must never be a discouragement to them. Remember what Paul
charged Timothy: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example to them that believe, in
word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity,” (1 Timothy 4:12).
On September 13, 2025, we here at Central are hosting an Area-Wide Youth Rally. The
theme is The Faith of Youth. We are going to try to make this an amazing event for our precious
young people. The keynote speaker on that Saturday will be David Shannon, President of Freed
Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. I know he will do an outstanding job. We will
also have supportive speakers, Ben Cooper and Austin Swinea. The day will feature spiritual
presentations, Christian activities, wonderful food, fellowship and an evening campfire with
devotional. This will be an inspiring day for your children. Please plan to bring them and their
friends, and all of the young people you know. We owe them so much!
