Learning from those Younger By Luke Heaton

Despite a 7-9 record last season, the Washington Redskins have reason to believe they’re on a positive trajectory. The plethora of young talent on this Redskins team should excite fans going forward. Dwayne Haskins is an impressive talent at quarterback, and explosive running back Derrius Guice is returning after missing his rookie season with an ACL tear. But, perhaps the most exciting young position group is the defensive line. In a recent article on The Athletic, Redskins beat writer Rhiannon Walker wrote, “All three starters — Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Matt Ioannidis — are 25 or younger and trended up last season.” An upward trend is indeed what occurred, with Washington improving by 15 spots in run defense after ranking dead last in 2017. These three players also accounted for 20.5 of the team’s 46 sacks last season. With the young talent on Washington’s roster that will undoubtedly lead the team going forward, I’m reminded of Paul’s first letter to Timothy when he encouraged his mentee to not allow his relatively young age to hinder his labor for Christ. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV). As Timothy instructed the elders of the church in Ephesus (who were probably older), Paul sought to encourage him not to let his age lead to reluctance. Paul then went on to remind Timothy that if his teaching and instruction are backed up by a godly lifestyle, he would not be discredited. Will the veteran players on the Washington Redskins discount the leadership of their younger teammates simply because of their age? That would be foolish, and create a hindrance for the team. In the same way, are we willing to be spiritually instructed by those younger than us? Or, are we allowing ourselves to be swayed by preconceived notions regarding someone’s ability to instruct simply due to their age? On the other side of the coin, the young defensive line for the Washington Redskins has some of the team’s key leaders, but it's important to note that they have produced and displayed performance worthy to back themselves up. Their young age doesn’t grant them anything except fruitless excitement if they don’t perform on the football field. Similarly, are we living the godly lifestyle that we are calling others to uphold? Followers of Jesus should instruct and teach in confidence while also making sure to live out the standard they are calling others to. Let’s live a godly life as we instruct others, and be eager to learn from those younger than us as we seek to become more like Jesus. I’m Luke Heaton and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Lord, thank you for graciously allowing me to become more like You. Thank you for raising up faithful teachers of Your Word. Please help me be eager to learn from those younger than me instead of pridefully rejecting their wisdom. I also pray You would show me how to faithfully live according to the teaching and instruction I give to others. Discussion Questions for PACKS: 1. How do you determine who you receive spiritual instruction from? Why? Does age normally matter? 2. Is there an area in your life you're not faithful in but are calling others to be faithful in? 3. Who’s someone you spiritually learn from? Who’s someone you spiritually teach?