12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:12–14)
These verses suggest a continuum in a believer’s life. Belief and salvation, early acquisition of knowledge of God’s word, the persistent application of it, and abiding faithfulness until death. Built into this equation is the need and expectation of fathers to teach their “little children,” and for young men to be marked by energy, passion, and discipline.
There is a tendency in the church to shelve the old men and stifle the enthusiasm of the youthful. There’s also the tendency to keep the children children, to lay out no right of passage, and to fail to prepare young men and women for battle. There seems to be a preoccupation with traditional “churchy” activities, while the world becomes increasingly difficult to navigate. Although evangelism is important, and short-term mission fields should be experienced, we might want to incorporate, especially with young men, instruction in the art of war.
John talks about the young men being known for their strength and their victories over the “evil one.” It’s interesting that “youth groups” are led by prototypical youth leaders, while athletic teams and armies are led by leathernecks, that is, coaches who yell instructions and drill sergeants who bark orders. Especially now, we need to mold our young men (and women) into fighters and shelve the choreography for weight training, endurance running, and resilience.
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