Good News Youth Devotional

By Dr. Samuel Sarpiya (Quebec, Canada)

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 “…you faith is growing more and more…”

Brethren generally consider it inappropriate to boast. But wait a minute grandparent have a tendency boast. Paul, also had a tendency to boast, as we see from some of his writings, but he is boasting about something that we all could be proud to boast about. He was bragging on the church in Thessalonica, saying, “Grace and peace to you from God the father of the Lord Christ. We ought to always thank God for you brothers rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecution and trials you are enduring.” (NIV)

I am wondering what we as the Church of Brethren can brag about? What the youth and young adults in our Church can boast about? I am not just referring to bragging from the older folk’s point of view. I wonder also if we are creating room for our youth to brag about the church they are inheriting from us?

It would also be easy to hear someone brag about how they are surviving a pandemic but rarely would we hear them brag about other people’s faith and ability to hold on in the midst of this challenge.

Good News: God is the one that can brag about our faith and how it is growing. But we can be that answer by bragging on the church that is not built on pleasing those who provides finances to sustain it locally and globally, but to be able to brag about a church that we are building for the next generation.

Discussion Question: What are you excited about in your relationship with the Lord and you want your friends to know about right now? Can you brag about the church you are inheriting? If not, why not? What would you want to see in the church that would make you brag about it?

Go one step further: The church is Thessalonica had remained faithful to the gospel as they understood it, so, their faith was making an impact in their community, that was how the news got to Paul. As members of the church, when you increase your grasp of scriptural teachings, it will manifest itself in your growth. It would also impact your knowledge of God and the community.

For the church to remain faithful, we must be able to provide a unique ministry. As we find out way during the pandemic, what does the church bring to your life? What witness does your faith have in your community?

Like Paul, I pray for… that your heart be tuned and hinged on Christ, who brings the growth. Amen