Guest Post: Why Students Should Speak Up About Their Faith, By Carter Manning

Carter Manning
2017 Mardi Gras Outreach

Recently I went to the Lafayette Science Museum with some friends.  I was truly amazed by the bones and fossils that had been found.  And the technology displays were brilliant.  But at the beginning of my visit, my attention was caught by something our guide was explaining.  I don't remember what it was about, but I know he mentioned "millions of years."  The same phrase was stated again in the planetarium.  Then I assumed that I probably had a few atheists on my hands.  I wish that I had not been too shy to speak up, because I look back at a missed opportunity; a chance to make them think, and maybe even change their minds!

So often, students are too afraid to speak up.  They are smaller and younger, and adults tend to ignore them.  But in 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul tells Timothy to not let people look down on him because of his age.  Instead, he should influence them for Christ.  Even though the task of evangelism is big and students are small, they can still accomplish great things for Christ.  Mary was only a young teenager when she gave birth to Jesus.  David was a teenager when he defeated Goliath.  Josiah was only 8 when he became king, and Jesus was 12 when he amazed the Jewish teachers.  Students can make a huge difference in our world for Christ when given the chance to speak.

Adults need to encourage students because they are not the church of tomorrow.  Students are the church of today!  Suppose you were offered your dream vacation.  But not just any vacation.  A luxurious getaway that could be planned to fit your schedule... on one condition. You have to be one of the first 1,750 people to call a number and tell the company that you want the vacation.  What do you do?  Obviously you would pick up the phone and dial the number in less than 3 seconds.  Or else you might lose your chance at a once in a lifetime opportunity!  It is the same way with students.  Tomorrow never comes, because there is always another one.  So why wait for something that won't come when you can encourage students to make a difference for Christ today?