Youth Home Missionary Work

As young people under the guardianship of our parents and relatives, we often think we have little or no part to play in ministry in the home. This however is a mistake. Out of the 33 years that Christ spent on this planet, 30 of them were spent in ministry to a poor humble home in Nazareth. The youth have a great example of the life Christ to follow in their ministry in the home. In the home we are called to minister to parents and siblings alike by loving service and bearing cheerfully the burdens of the home.

As young people under the guardianship of our parents and relatives, we often think we have little or no part to play in ministry in the home. This however is a mistake. Out of the 33 years that Christ spent on this planet, 30 of them were spent in ministry to a poor humble home in Nazareth. The youth have a great example of the life Christ to follow in their ministry in the home. In the home we are called to minister to parents and siblings alike by loving service and bearing cheerfully the burdens of the home.

During those years Christ was faithfully ministering as when He did miracles during His public ministry. “He was doing God’s service just as much when laboring at the carpenter’s bench as when working miracles for the multitude. And every youth who follows Christ’s example of faithfulness and obedience in His lowly home may claim those words spoken of Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit, “Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth.” Isaiah 42:1.”  Desire of Ages, p. 74

All who God used mightily in the Bible were men and women who were faithful in the home circle.

Elisha

“While co-operating with his father in the home-life duties, he was learning to co-operate with God. By faithfulness in little things, Elisha was preparing for weightier trusts. Day by day, through practical experience, he gained a fitness for a broader, higher work. He learned to serve; and in learning this, he learned also how to instruct and lead. The lesson is for all. None can know what may be God’s purpose in His discipline; but all may be certain that faithfulness in little things is the evidence of fitness for greater responsibilities. Every act of life is a revelation of character, and he only who in small duties proves himself “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed” can be honored by God with higher service.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  Prophets & Kings, p. 218 

Saul

“Saul was the son of a powerful and wealthy chief, yet in accordance with the simplicity of the times he was engaged with his father in the humble duties of a husbandman.” Patriarchs  & Prophets, p. 218

      yOUTH MINISTRY IN THE HOME

“The highest duty that devolves upon youth is in their own homes, blessing father and mother, brothers and sisters, by affection and true interest. Here they can show self-denial and self-forgetfulness in caring and doing for others. . . . What an influence a sister may have over brothers! If she is right, she may determine the character of her brothers. Her prayers, her gentleness, and her affection may do much in a household.” Adventist Home, p. 35 

How can the youth be effective witnesses to win family members?

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”  Ministry of Healing, p. 143 

1John 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

“The importance and the opportunities of the home life are illustrated in the life of Jesus. He who came from heaven to be our example and teacher spent thirty years as a member of the household at Nazareth. Concerning these years the Bible record is very brief. No mighty miracles attracted the attention of the multitude. No eager throngs followed His steps or listened to His words. Yet during all these years He was fulfilling His divine mission. He lived as one of us, sharing the home life, submitting to its discipline, performing its duties, bearing its burdens. In the sheltering care of a humble home, participating in the experiences of our common lot, He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52.  Ministry of Healing, p. 349

“During all these secluded years His life flowed out in currents of sympathy and helpfulness. His unselfishness and patient endurance, His courage and faithfulness, His resistance of temptation, His unfailing peace and quiet joyfulness, were a constant inspiration. He brought a pure, sweet atmosphere into the home, and His life was as leaven working amidst the elements of society. None said that He had wrought a miracle; yet virtue–the healing, life-giving power of love–went out from Him to the tempted, the sick, and the disheartened. In an unobtrusive way, from His very childhood, He ministered to others, and because of this, when He began His public ministry, many heard Him gladly.  Ministry of Healing, p. 350

 CHRIST’S METHOD OF YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE HOME

2. He was faithful in the performance of common family duties

“Jesus lived in a peasant’s home, and faithfully and cheerfully acted His part in bearing the burdens of the household. He had been the Commander of heaven, and angels had delighted to fulfill His word; now He was a willing servant, a loving, obedient son. He learned a trade, and with His own hands worked in the carpenter’s shop with Joseph. In the simple garb of a common laborer He walked the streets of the little town, going to and returning from His humble work. He did not employ His divine power to lessen His burdens or to lighten His toil.” Desire of Ages, p. 72

“He was not willing to be defective, even in the handling of tools. He was perfect as a workman, as He was perfect in character. By His own example He taught that it is our duty to be industrious, that our work should be performed with exactness and thoroughness, and that such labor is honorable… The approval of God rests with loving assurance upon children and youth who cheerfully take their part in the duties of the household, sharing the burdens of father and mother.” Ibid.

DO NOT SPEND THE WHOLE MORNING UPTO NOON IN DEVOTION. WE THE YOUTH MUST FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE:

Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.(NKJV)

“The early morning often found Him in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in prayer. From these quiet hours He would return to His home to take up His duties again, and to give an example of patient toil.” Desire of Ages, p. 89

 3. He rarely rebuked the ungodly practices but watched for opportunity to sow the seed of truth

    Let your life rebuke not your tongue. Your life is enough rebuke if you are consistent and honest in your Christian faith.

    “Many avoided Him, because they were rebuked by His stainless life.” Desire of Ages, p. 89

   “He rarely rebuked any wrongdoing of His brothers, but He had a word from God to speak to them. Often He was accused of cowardice for refusing to unite with them in some forbidden act; but His answer was, It is written, “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28. Desire of Ages, p. 88

Especially do we find ourselves tempted to rebuke our families sometimes bashing them with quotes on health reform. Please remember that reformation is the work of Christ in the soul. More can be done by example than by rebuke.

  “When sitting at a table where meat is provided, we are not to make a raid upon those who use it, but we should let it alone ourselves, and when asked our reasons for doing this, we should in a kindly manner explain why we do not use it.” Counsels on Diets and Foods, p. 462

  By pushing our families to embrace reform without showing them Christ we forget the force of this statement:

 “No mere external change is sufficient to bring us into harmony with God. There are many who try to reform by correcting this or that bad habit, and they hope in this way to become Christians, but they are beginning in the wrong place. Our first work is with the heart.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p.97

  We do better to pray for them, give them material to study and be willing to watch for conviction in their lives. At the right time they will be led by Christ to live right.

 If in your own family you feel unappreciated for your unique faith; look not for sympathy from men:

  “So pained was Christ by the misapprehension in His own home that it was a relief to Him to go where it did not exist. There was one home that He loved to visit,–the home of Lazarus, and Mary, and Martha; for in the atmosphere of faith and love His spirit had rest. Yet there were none on earth who could comprehend His divine mission, or know the burden which He bore in behalf of humanity. Often He could find relief only in being alone, and communing with His heavenly Father.” Desire of Ages, p. 326

4. He never compromised to please the family

Matthew 10:34-37 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.(NKJV)

“At a very early age, Jesus had begun to act for Himself in the formation of His character, and not even respect and love for His parents could turn Him from obedience to God’s word. “It is written” was His reason for every act that varied from the family customs. But the influence of the rabbis made His life a bitter one. Even in His youth He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance.” Desire of Ages, p. 86

“Mary often remonstrated with Jesus, and urged Him to conform to the usages of the rabbis. But He could not be persuaded to change His habits of contemplating the works of God and seeking to alleviate the suffering of men or even of dumb animals. When the priests and teachers required Mary’s aid in controlling Jesus, she was greatly troubled; but peace came to her heart as He presented the statements of Scripture upholding His practices.” Desire of Ages, p. 90

Don’t compromise but show from the scriptures why you live as you do with meekness and fear.

5. He spoke the truth in love

“Jesus did not suppress one word of truth, but He uttered it always in love. He exercised the greatest tact and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He spoke the truth, but always in love.” Steps to Christ, p. 12

While praying for your families, learn to speak the truth in love when that opportunity avails itself (Eph. 4:15). We do not always need to condemn someone in order to pass the truth. Do not make people feel hopeless and lost. Let them know that you are doing it out of sincere love for their souls.

If the youth of today would follow Christ’s example in faithful ministry in the home, many not only in the family circle but also without would be influenced heavenward. May God help you and I to be like Jesus in the home and in the throng. Amen.