How old were Jesus’ disciples? Teenagers and young adults? Or old men with grey beards?
Bible scholars concur that Jesus’ disciples were teenagers and young adults. With the exception of Peter, all twelve disciples were under 20 years. They were individuals in their late teens.
Photo by The Chosen
So, why would Jesus choose teenagers and young adults to help Him carry out His earthly mission?
It is evident from the Bible that young people are part of the core mission of God. During biblical times, God used young people to accomplish His mission on earth. For example…
David was just a young shepherd who loaded his sling to fight Goliath.
Joseph was the youngest son of Israel who God used to save many people (including his family) from hunger.
Paul’s pastoral student, Timothy, was a young adult who was urged to set an example for other believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
In post-biblical times, God has used teenagers and young adults to impact the nations for his glory. Currently, teenagers and young people are stepping up to serve as witnesses and disciplers among all peoples. Think about the many churches and Christian organizations that send out students for short-term missions trips across the globe each year.
In his post on the importance of student ministry, Dr. Mike Barnett, the professor of missionary church planting at Columbia International University, states that students are central to God’s mission because they are passionate, want to make a difference, want to do it together, and are brutally transparent. Therefore, we ought to accept them, empower them, exhort them, coach them, celebrate them with God, and coach them.
~ Written by Maurice Agunda
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