Baefeso 6 - KBTP & GNTD

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Navigating the complexities of life can be challenging, especially for young people who are still finding their way. The Bible offers timeless wisdom and guidance that can help shape a fulfilling and purposeful life. Here are some key Biblical tips for young people:

1. Seek Wisdom and Understanding

Proverbs 4:7 – “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

The pursuit of wisdom is highly valued in the Bible. Wisdom helps in making informed decisions, understanding the world better, and living a life that is pleasing to God. Young people are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding, not only through formal education but also through life experiences and learning from others.

2. Honor Your Parents

Ephesians 6:1-3 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—’so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'”

Respecting and honoring parents is a fundamental principle in the Bible. It fosters healthy family relationships and sets a foundation for a respectful attitude towards authority and elders.

3. Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

The heart, in Biblical terms, is the center of one’s being, encompassing emotions, desires, and thoughts. Guarding your heart means being mindful of what influences you—your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It involves being cautious about the company you keep, the content you consume, and the activities you engage in.

4. Flee from Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Temptations are a part of life, but the Bible reassures that there is always a way to overcome them. Young people are encouraged to recognize their weaknesses, seek God’s strength, and make conscious efforts to avoid situations that might lead to sin.

5. Develop a Prayerful Life

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Prayer is a powerful tool for maintaining a close relationship with God. It helps in finding peace, gaining strength, and seeking guidance. A prayerful life enables young people to stay connected to their faith and find solace in difficult times.

6. Cultivate Good Friendships

Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

The company you keep significantly influences your character and decisions. The Bible encourages surrounding yourself with wise and good-hearted individuals who uplift and encourage you to grow in faith and virtue.

7. Serve Others

Galatians 5:13 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Service to others is a core principle in Christianity. It teaches humility, compassion, and selflessness. Young people are encouraged to look beyond their own needs and contribute positively to the lives of others.

Conclusion

The Bible offers invaluable guidance for young people striving to live meaningful and virtuous lives. By seeking wisdom, honoring parents, guarding their hearts, fleeing from temptation, developing a prayerful life, cultivating good friendships, serving others, living with integrity, trusting in God’s plan, and staying humble, young people can navigate the complexities of life with faith and purpose.

Bana ne bazwadzi

A Father's Love: Poem dedicated to fathers on Father’s day

In the light of dawn, a father stands tall, With love and wisdom, he answers the call. "Train up a child in the way he should go,"

1 Bana, ihwani bazwadzi benyu muna She, ngobe oku kwakalulwama. 2 “Teta tate babo na mmeyabo,” oku nlayo we kutanga una kugadziwabgwe, 3 “Kuti ndizo ululwamigwe nge butjilo nenge kuti utjile butjilo bulefu mu shango.”

4 Botate, musishongole bana benyu, koga mubakudzile mu kudiya ne kulaya kwa She.

Balanda na botetshi

5 Balanda, ihwani botetshi benyu be shango, mubatje kakale mubatetema nge moyo nng'ompela, sekwa mungahwa Kirisiti. 6 Kusi kuti mubahwe nge kubabona nge mesho mushaka kubashathisa, koga mubahwe se balanda ba Kirisiti muthama kuda kwe Ndzimu nge mimoyo yenyu yose. 7 Nge mazwimisilo akalulwama shingani se munoshingila She, kusi nthu, 8 ngobe moziba kuti mu nshingo mmwe ne mmwe wakalulwama, kene uli upi mowouwanila mbhayilo kuna She, kene unlanda kene wakasununguka.

9 Botetshi, shingilani balanda benyubo muijalo, letjani kubadziyidza. Muzibe, kuti iye She wabo, kakale ali She wenyu u kudzimu ngono aatoshalaula.

Zwibhayano zwe Ndzimu zose

10 Gwe bupelo, simani muna She ne mu simba lile gulu. 11 Ambalani zwiambalo zwe ngwa zose zwe Ndzimu kuti ndizo muzwigwile mu butjengedzi gwa Satani, 12 ngobe ngwa yedu aizolingisana ne nyama ne malopa, koga yakalingisana ne babusi ne balauli ne masimba e zhalima anolaula shango ino, nenge meya mibi mu magalo ekudzimu. 13 Ndizo ambalani zwiambalo zwe ngwa zose zwe Ndzimu, kuti zhuba le mbipo liti lizha muzwigwile, kakale mutimagwa ngwa yose, mume makasima.

14 Imani makasima makazwilulwamisa, makazwisunga thunji nge malebeswa ali mwandabula mu thunji dzenyu, makaambala tjivikili* tje ndulamo mu ifuba,Tjivikili* tje ndulamo mu ifuba 15 ne makumbo enyu akambadziwa kuzwilulwamisa kuleba ndebo mbuya ye mbakiso. 16 Pezhugwi kwa ikoku, tolani thebe ye kugalamoyo, yamungadzimisa misebe inothuta ye mbi. 17 Mbalani tjivikili tje jidzo mu nsholo ne thumo le Meya, ilo dama le Ndzimu. 18 Tembezelani misi yose mu Meya, nge mitembezelo yose yakasiyanasiyana. Tjengetani kakale mudwilile mutembezelela bayengemali bose misi yose. 19 Munditembezelelebo kuti ha ndizhula nlomo wangu koga, ndipiwe matama, akalulwama kuti ndizo nge kusatja, ndizibise bathu masazibgwe e ndebo mbuya, 20 yandili mmilili wayo mu busungwa. Tembezelani kuti, dzene ndingaileba sekwa ndakafanila, ndisingatje.

Matama e bupelo

21 Tikikasi ikamu tjinodika, kakale ali nlanda unogagwabgwe muna She, unowomubudza tjimwe ne tjimwe, kuti ndizo namwibo muzibe kuti ndomuka tjini nenge kuti ndoshingani. 22 Nditjo tjandantumila kumuli, kuti muzibe mamuko edu ne nge kuti amukulumbidze.

23 Kunyalala ngakube ku zwikamu ne ludo guna kugalamoyo kunodwa ku Ndzimu Tate na She wedu Jesu Kirisiti. 24 Ngoni dze Ndzimu ngadzibe kuna bose banoda She wedu Jesu Kirisiti nge ludo gusingame.

Children and Parents

1 Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Respect your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise added: 3 “so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land.”

4 Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.

Slaves and Masters

5 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with a sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ. 6 Do this not only when they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ. 7 Do your work as slaves cheerfully, as though you served the Lord, and not merely human beings. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do.

9 Masters, behave in the same way toward your slaves and stop using threats. Remember that you and your slaves belong to the same Master in heaven, who judges everyone by the same standard.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. 12 For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. 13 So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.

14 So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, 15 and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. 16 At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. 17 And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. 18 Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. 19 And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret. 20 For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus, our dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me, so that you may know how I am getting along. 22 That is why I am sending him to you—to tell you how all of us are getting along and to encourage you.

23 May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christians peace and love with faith. 24 May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.