What are some of our responsibilities toward the young?

1 Corinthians 16:10When Timothy comes, treat him with respect. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.

1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.

God uses people regardless of their age, so we should respect and value younger people. Who knows what we may learn from them?

Psalm 71:18Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Proverbs 22:6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

We are responsible to teach young people God’s ways as an investment in their future. A moment of godliness today may produce a lifetime of service tomorrow.

Ephesians 6:1, 4Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. . . . Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Though the experience of elderly people deserves respect, that is no excuse for their treating young people with harshness, arrogance, or rudeness.

1 Corinthians 11:1You should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Titus 2:3-8Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

Hebrews 13:7Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Our responsibility to imitate Christ becomes even greater as we model Christlikeness to the next generation.

Matthew 5:9“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”

Mark 7:9Then he [Jesus] said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition.”

Luke 22:19The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

1 Corinthians 11:2I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you.

2 Thessalonians 2:15With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

2 Thessalonians 3:6Now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.

2 Timothy 4:3-4A time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

Titus 1:9He [a leader] must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

Different generations have much to learn from one another, for each generation has its own spiritual strengths and weaknesses. Often, tradition carried across the generations forms a strong defense against the fads of false teaching. Yet sometimes, Satan ingrains his own lies into our traditions, and the fresh eyes of a new generation are needed to inspire reform. Some traditions, such as the Lord’s Supper, are essential to the faith. Others, such as singing a classic hymn, can be inspiring or encouraging, but are not commanded by God. Still others can become a great hindrance to the church. Each generation has the responsibility to deeply consider the traditions they receive and the ones they should pass on.