Essay For Chapter 9 Test (+4)


IV) Select three passages in one of the letters (or find one passage from three different letters) that could be used to teach values to teens today. Explain why you chose these passages and include the values that teens could learn from the passages.


The First Passage:
"Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same thing." (Romans 2:1)

I chose this passage because I think that it applies to most teenagers in the world. It seems that during our lives we all judge people whether it be about how funny someone is, how smart someone is, or how annoying someone is. I know that during my freshman year at SLUH there was a ton of judgment going on. I do believe that some of that judgment however just had to do with meeting new people and getting to know them.

I think that judging people can be very hard not to do. In do believe that many teenagers probably could not live their lives without judging people and that is a real problem. I think that this passage shows us that even the people back in the time of Paul had a problem with judging others and that they needed help.


The Second Passage:
"For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned." (Romans 12:3)

I chose this passage, because at least in my life I know that many people think that they are better than others. Throughout my life, I've come into contact with many people who hold themselves in high regards over others. At SLUH in my opinion, the people who believe that they are better than others seem to be the people who are really good at some sport. I also do see this with people who are a lot smarter than others. An example of that would be last year when I was in the library, I heard two people who are really smart making fun of one guy because he was getting bad grades in Math. I believe that through this passage, we learn that God wants us to not judge others and to live more humbly towards others.


The Third Passage:
"Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' Rather, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.' Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good" (Romans 12:19-21)

I think that this passage applies to teenagers, because most teenagers have a problem with violence towards people and helping others. In this passage, Paul tells us not to given in to vengeance and to let the Lord settle your anger. However, I know that most teenagers do not turn away from violence but they use violence to hurt others. Also, I think that trying to help other people, like the hungry or thirsty, is not something teenagers do often. Most teenagers would rather splurge on themselves than help others.

I think that most teenagers should heed to this passage because it has valuable meaning to it. In my opinion, the last line, "Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good" (Romans 12:21), is something that not just teenagers but all people should try accomplish in their lives.