OCT 31

Colossians 1:28-29
Memorise 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“…warning every man, and teaching every man…”

In Colossians 1:28, note that there is one phrase used three times in verse 28: “every man”. This means that every man must be warned and taught, without bias or exception. Paul uses the personal pronoun “we” instead of “I” to point out that this duty to preach, warn and teach is not just for him, but for all believers to engage in. This was the message to the Colossian church, and also to all of us in a local church. Especially if the church is large, all members of the church will have to help the church leaders to warn and teach the entire flock, leaving no one out, and not just reaching out to people that they like to reach out to. Many churches have fellowship groups to ensure people in different age groups are not neglected. Many churches have a children’s ministry, and teachers are trained to reach out to every child in their class, without bias or exception. It is every teacher’s hope that every child is saved, and every child taught how to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What role do you play in warning and teaching others? Look around at the teens in your church. Is there anyone who seems left out? Do you prefer to stick to your friends every Lord’s Day instead of reaching out to others? Your Sunday School teachers are trying hard to teach and reach out to every youth, but there are many who leave church because they feel left out by fellow teens like you. Can you be the one to make a difference? Don’t give the excuse that you only have the Lord’s Day to meet up with your close Christian friends. In this day and age of mobile devices and social media, we can stay in touch with them every day of the week if we so desire. Don’t give the excuse that a particular teen is alone because you think that they act strangely or appear unfriendly. Just because they are different from you, that does not give you the excuse to shun them or gossip about them openly or on social media. Such behaviour is hateful and unloving. Don’t give the excuse you do not know what to say to them. As long as you are armed with the Word of God, let the Holy Spirit guide you on what to say to them. Dear teen, remember that God has placed you in your church with the people around you for a reason. You have a God-given responsibility to reach out to every one of them. Are you doing so?

Thought: What is your personal excuse for not reaching out to everyone?
Prayer: May we use every encounter God gives us to edify one another.