A Courageous Example

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” I Timothy 4:12

This verse has become very special to me over the last few weeks.  Older Christians often put down the younger generation for their attitude, behavior and lifestyle.  Because of a group of teenage girls I teach at a small Christian school and the courageous example they have chosen to set, I have seen a glimmer of hope!

I have had the great privilege this year of teaching a Girl’s Biblical Home Ec class.  I named the course: Becoming a Proverbs 31 Young Woman.  What an immense JOY & BLESSING this has been in my life!  I have heard it said that when you are the teacher of any subject, you are really just the number one learner.  In my experience of being a teacher I have often found that to be true.

We have had wonderful class times filled with cooking, baking, Bible stories, posture, manners, health, and even learning to change a flat tire!  While each day is an adventure in my classroom, the highlight took place a few weeks ago.

After being inspired by the message of ‘True Love Waits’ as well as the wonderful Christian movie Courageous, my students asked if they could do their own ceremony with their own commitments and promises to the Lord, promises that involved many aspects of their life.  The girls chose to make resolutions, based on Biblical principles, about their friendships, dating, marriage, character, and future choices.

Our class had a small ceremony to allow the girls to publicly make those commitments before each other!  What a blessing to see them carry out the convictions of  their hearts.  I was not only touched, but also inspired.  Godly Christian character is something we all ought to aspire to no matter our age.  We are never too old to make a commitment, promise or resolution to the Lord.

Because of my student’s example, my husband and I decided that in our home it is important that our children see and know our resolve to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  So we had our own ceremony at the Morefield house!  What a blessing to share with our children Joshua 24:15  “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

While we often discuss Godly principles with our children, now we have a paper with each member in our family’s signature showing our resolution.  We bought frames to hang them in the hallway of our home to always encourage us to be faithful to His calling in our life and family.

This reminds me of the Biblical mandate given to us in Deuteronomy 6:7.

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

My Bible class is made up of 9th through 12th grade girls.  I appreciate their boldness and courage to stand for truth—God’s truth—in a world that makes any stand difficult.  While being a teenager may not always be easy, there is an excitement and enthusiasm that is worthwhile to catch.  I am so thankful to see the unashamed example twelve young ladies took for Christ.