Build a Strong Faith While You're Young

Hey, carpool crew. Maybe you're in the car wondering, why do your parents keep making such a big deal about going to school? Or maybe you're thinking about all the stuff you've been learning lately. No matter what, I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. This month we are in Proverbs for your school life series and today's verse is one that's often read by parents, but guess what? It's actually about you, about your life, about how what you are learning right now sets the direction for your future. Here's today's verse from Proverbs chapter 22, verse six. Start a youth out on his way. Even when he grows old, he will not depart from it. See, Solomon is saying something really big here. The way you're raised matters. The things you learn early, don't just go away. In other words, your habits, your heart, your faith, they're all being built right now. You don't have to wait until you're older to start following Jesus, making wise choices or walking in purpose. And when you're raised in wisdom and truth, God uses that foundation to shape who you become. Right now, yes, as a first grader, as a third, a fifth, maybe even a sixth or eighth grader, you're building your way. You're learning how to handle pressure. You're learning how to handle homework, emotions, how to treat people with kindness even when they're not kind to you. You're figuring out how to pray, how to hear God's voice, maybe picking up the Bible and reading it for the first time on your own. You're figuring out how to make good choices. Good choices that really matter. And this verse is a promise to you. If you build your life on God's way now, you won't lose it later. Even if you get off track, what God's putting in your heart now will be something you carry forever. See, if Jesus were there with you right now, maybe at the breakfast table before homeschool or in the car before you get out for school, he might say, the things you're learning right now aren't small. They're shaping who you're becoming. See, Jesus himself grew up with wisdom and scripture every day. He didn't wait to start honoring God or his parents, or his friends, or the people he went to school with. He grew into it. See, imagine you're building a skateboard ramp. Okay, that sounds pretty fun, okay? But you rush it, you skip a few steps, you don't lay the foundation right. And guess what happens? It collapses. It doesn't hold. You get up there with your skateboard and the whole thing falls apart. But if you take your time, you build it strong, that ramp will last. You can trust it, and that's what your faith is like. What you build now will hold up later. So what are some ways you can build a strong faith now? Build it strong to last. Well, you can take what you're learning about God seriously, even if you don't fully get it yet. You can ask questions. You can get answers from parents or leaders at church, or your teachers. Maybe you don't wait to be older to start walking in wisdom. This whole month we've been talking about different ways to become more wise. You can start doing those things now in how you treat people, how you talk, how you act. Lastly, know that God is using this time in your life to build something amazing in you. He's building the person you're gonna be and how you act, treat, respect, and the kind of wisdom you're gonna have. Now, I want you to remember that no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if you like today's episode, maybe share it with a friend, text them over a link and say, hey, I think you might like this podcast. Now, before you go, answer this question together, what's one thing you've learned about God that you wanna carry with you as you grow up? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.