Do you remember when you were young? I mean younger. The last thing on my mind was being an example for anyone else. I was worried about having fun and how I looked. I wasn’t looking for people to look like me. I was concerned about looking like someone else.
In the Greek culture, you were considered a young person until the age of 40. After 40 you were venturing into adulthood. According to Irenaeus, one of the early church fathers, the first journey into youth starts from the age of 30 to 40. Also, for people to join the Armed forces they needed to be 40 or older.
Regardless of age, I believe Paul wants all Christians to set an example for others to see Christ. Especially when we minister, when we serve and when we are involved in our congregation. We need to be examples in the way we talk, the way we behave, in our treatment of others, in our commitment to God and in the way we communicate. By doing all these, we won’t be a hindrance for anyone who wants to come to Jesus.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
–1 Timothy 4:12