Dear BPCWAians, Having seen that it is not a positive spiritual sign when children lead and are made leaders, and a global wave of young teenagers demonstrating so as to have their voices heard, expecting their demands to be met through activism, we need to ask then – what if there is indeed a genuinely valid issue noted by the young to be addressed? What are the right biblical principles on both sides?

What if there is indeed a valid issue to be addressed? These pastorals are not saying that the young are always ignorant and that they are incapable and have no valid contributions. The young can be more knowledgeable in certain things and can have concerns that are valid and need resolving. We are also not advocating that adults know everything and need not pay attention to the views put forward by the young. Adults may sometimes indeed be avoiding valid issues that need to be addressed. However, in  stating  this,  neither does it mean that while children can be more intelligent in the use of some modern technologies, they are then wiser than adults. This not just an issue of knowledge, but of wisdom, experience, and character as well. Both the young and the adults should have such a concept. God’s Words are eternal principles for every generation. Even as the world has an emerging “new kind of generation”, both young and adult Christians must use them as the basis for how they view and relate to each other in every situation, regardless of the trend of the world.

So what is the biblical approach on both sides? Media is a very strong means of promoting ideas and behaviours. With easy access by the young to the electronic media, the spread of the activism spirit in the young increases exponentially in this generation. It is also made more apparent through social media. But there are clear principles regarding the relationship between the young and the adults. (a)Young towards adults: eg God commands the young to “hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Prov 1:8), “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it” (Prov 30:17). “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death” (Matt 15:4), “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Col 3:20), “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren” (1Tim 5:1) (b) Adults towards children: eg “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6), “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Col 3:21), “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). “Parents” refers not to just biological parents but importantly the concept of authority figures God places in the young’s lives. The fifth commandment teaches the concept of authority figures, not just biological parents only.

So even if there is a valid issue for the young, the young must submit to God placing adults over them as an authority by reflecting that in their approach and attitude. At the same time, the adults must not treat the young in a discouraging and disparaging manner, while at the same time not inverting God’s model by exalting the young to a place that God did not intend for them. With these principles, let us begin with the biblical mindset needed for the young first.

Biblical mindset of young Christians in this global wave. I need to repeat that this pastoral is not about whether the cause of global warming is valid. It is about how the young should view the trend and behave as Christians. Having seen that it is the judgement of God when the immature lead adults, young Christians should know that they should view the situation differently from the unbelieving teens who aspire to assert leadership over adults. Do not succumb to this attitude at home, in the church, in your school, or society. The Biblical principle to keep in mind is the 5th Commandment, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days  may be long upon the land which the LORD  thy God giveth thee” (Ex 20:12). This commandment is ultimately teaching submission to God’s ordained and chosen authority. It is difficult to put it better or more comprehensively than the Westminster Larger Catechism’s answers to questions 124 to 128. “By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.” And “The honor which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, word, and behavior; . . . due submission to their corrections; fidelity to, defense, and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places; bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honor to them and to their government.”

This is God’s order for home, church, and society. But what if there is indeed a genuinely valid case and need for addressing a situation? God does not forbid speaking to and correcting elders when needed, “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father” (1 Tim 5:1). The attitude is the key point, “The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them; envying at, contempt of, and rebellion against their persons and places, in their lawful counsels, commands, and corrections; cursing, mocking, and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonor to them and their government.”

You can genuinely have more knowledge in certain things, but remember the approach and attitude God desires for you tomaintain towards authority figures. Also, remember that knowledge is not necessarily wisdom. Life’s experience is something you need to know you lack too. Learn to listen and accept that too. It can be frustrating, especially if adults make the wrong spiritual choices for you and even for the family. But even if it is genuinely true, learn to pray and trust God as you approach and discuss issues. The wrong attitude in the right thing will still not be blessed by God.

God willing, we shall conclude this series by addressing God’s expectations on the adults and the biblical response needed of them in the global trend that is creeping into home and churches.

Yours in our Lord’s service,

Pastor