Dangers for Young People
Although specifically directed to young men, these “Five Dangers” listed by J.C. Ryle seem to me to apply to both young men and women. I just printed off five copies—one to review with Sophia and post in her schoolroom, and the other to share with the four young people in my Geography class at our homeschooling co-op.
(As a quick aside, I have to say that my time in our little Geography class is quickly becoming one of the highlights of my week. Who would have thought that I would so enjoy spending time with teenagers? Especially since I know next to nothing about geography! (A fact I eagerly and completely explained to the parents when they asked me to teach the class.) But our class is really about thinking and communicating, two skills which I help them apply to their diligent progress through a geography textbook. We discuss logical fallacies and the “so why does this matter” question (biblical worldview) behind learning that Cuba is a totalitarian state, Kazakhstan is the largest land-locked country, and India’s population rate is such that its total population is now second only to China. Then I “force them” to actually mull, learn, think, and be creative—and then teach us all something interesting (communication skills) with major class projects throughout the year. Plus, of course, I am deeply committed to them (relationship). As members of the same church, we take our baptismal vows and membership vows seriously. I love them and I am cheering them on as they transition from childhood to adulthood. I am committed to them for the long-haul.)
Hmmmm … that was a longer aside than I had originally intended! Here are a few excerpts from the JC Ryle content that I’m going to share with my class and that was the reason for my post:
1. Pride: “Stop being so sure that you are always right …”
2. Love of Pleasure: “Youth is the time when our passions are strongest—and like unruly children, cry most loudly for indulgence … “
3. Thoughtlessness: “Men will not consider, will not look ahead, will not look around them, will not reflect on the end of their present course, and the sure consequences of their present days, and wake up to find they are damned for a lack of thinking. Young men, none are in more danger of this than yourselves. You know little of the perils around you, and so you are careless how you walk. You hate the trouble of serious, quiet thinking, and so you make wrong decisions and bring upon yourselves much sorrow.”
4. Contempt of Religion: “None pay so little outward respect to Christianity as young men. None take so little part in our services … “
5. Fear of Man’s Opinion: “It is terrible to observe the power which the fear of man has over most minds, and especially over the minds of the young … Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide. What others think is right, they think is right … they dread the idea of going against the current of the times. In a word, the opinion of the day becomes their religion, their creed, their Bible, and their God.’
~ J.C. Ryle, Thoughts For Young Men
Much to think on here and discuss with young people towards whom I am filled with affection and with whom I delight to have covenantal relationship.
(HT: Challies.com and J.C. Ryle Quotes)