Youthful Sobriety

The Amish have a saying that I think deserves to be pondered in the light of the Scriptures.

A child is a liability to his parents for the first 7 years of his life.

For the next 7 years, that child should be able to hold his own.

For the last 7 years, he should be productive enough to repay his parents for the first 7 years of their labor of him.

How does this line up in light of God's Word?

A child is a liability to his parents for the first 7 years of his life.

For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 2 Cor 12:14-15

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.  Gal 4:1-2

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Col 3:21

Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 1 Tim 3:12

For the next 7 years, that child should be able to hold his own. (intentionally launching into adulthood)

the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men. 1 Sam 2:26

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. Luke 1:80

So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to move upon him Judg 13:24-25

So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.   1 Sam 3:19

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.  Dan 1:8-9

And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."

But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.

Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."

Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."

And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!" 1 Sam 17:33-37

And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. Est 2:7

Esther also was taken to the king's palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; Est 2:8-9

For the last 7 years, he should be productive enough to repay his parents for the first 7 years of their labor of him.

It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth. Lam 3:27

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come,

And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": Eccl 12:1

The glory of young men is their strength, Prov 20:2

I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14

Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in evil be babes, but in understanding be mature. 1 Cor 14:20

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Cor 13:11

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Tim 4:12-13

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim 2:22

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matt 5:16-17

The new book Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris addresses what they call The Myth of Adolescence.  “The teen years are not a vacation from responsibility.  They are the training ground of future leaders who dare to be responsible now.”  I think that’s what the Amish proverb is trying to say.

Mark Bauerlein, a professor of English at Emory University, has also taken notice and has written about it in his new book called The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes our Future. 

Christian Smith, professor of sociology at Notre Dame, wrote in the most recent Books and Culture a review of six books that deal with the new phenomenon of “adultolescence”—the postponement of adulthood into the thirties and John Piper responds by relating this phenomenon to the church.

I think the Amish/Scriptures are on to something…  to be continued.

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