Introduction
Between studies, friendships, social networks, questions of identity and choices about the future, being young takes a lot of courage. The voices telling you who you must be are many, and they often contradict each other. The Bible speaks to young people with respect: it treats them neither as children nor as reckless. Timothy was given responsibility for a church while still young, Daniel stood firm far from home, Jeremiah felt too small and God corrected him. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are read in five stages: your worth in God's eyes, remembering your Creator, making pure and wise choices, surrounding yourself with solid friendships, and then moving forward with courage. They are for you if you are a high school student, a student or a young adult, and also for parents and youth leaders looking for reliable words to share.
You have worth in God's eyes
1. Psalm 139:13-14
"For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well."
David meditates on how God formed him before his birth. He concludes that he is a wonderful work. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Your worth does not depend on your grades, your appearance, or the number of people who follow you. It comes from the One who thought of you. Read all of Psalm 139.
2. Jeremiah 1:5-7
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.” But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you."
God calls Jeremiah, very young, to a difficult mission. Jeremiah answers that he does not know how to speak, for he is a child. God corrects him: "Don’t say, ‘I am a child.’" He knew him before his birth. Your age is not an obstacle for God, but an opportunity to show what he can do. Read all of Jeremiah 1.
3. 1 Timothy 4:12
"Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity."
Paul writes to Timothy, a young leader facing elders who doubt him. He tells him: "Let no man despise your youth." The response he suggests is not to defend himself, but to be an example in word, conduct, love, faith and purity. Read all of 1 Timothy 4.
4. Ephesians 2:10
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them."
Paul reminds the church in Ephesus that believers are not the product of chance. "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." God prepared them beforehand. You do not have to invent your usefulness: you can discover it by walking with him. Read all of Ephesians 2.
Remembering your Creator now
5. Ecclesiastes 12:1
"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;"
Ecclesiastes, grown old, addresses young people with a precious recommendation. "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth," before the days come when you have no energy left. It is not a call to deprive yourself of life, but to live it with the One who gave it. Read all of Ecclesiastes 12.
6. Psalm 71:17
"God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works."
The psalmist, now old, looks back and acknowledges what God has done throughout his life: "you have taught me from my youth." He continues to declare his wonders. What you learn from God today will still carry you in several decades. Read all of Psalm 71.
7. Lamentations 3:27
"It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth."
Jeremiah, in the midst of Jerusalem's ruin, meditates on patience. He writes: "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth." Learning discipline, perseverance and obedience early is an investment. The efforts of youth bear fruit years later. Read all of Lamentations 3.
8. Proverbs 4:7
"Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding."
A father passes on to his son what he himself received. The beginning of wisdom, he says, is to want it. "Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding." Wisdom is not reserved for the old. It is chosen, it is sought, and it is worth more than anything. Read all of Proverbs 4.
Making pure and wise choices
9. Daniel 1:8
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s dainties, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."
Daniel is a young man deported to Babylon, trained to serve the king. Facing pressure to accept everything, he makes a decision: "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s dainties." He chooses in advance what he will not do, then seeks a respectful solution. A conviction is prepared before the temptation. Read all of Daniel 1.
10. Romans 12:2
"Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God."
Paul urges believers in Rome not to pour themselves into the mold of their age. "Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation runs through what you read, watch and listen to, and it gives discernment. Read all of Romans 12.
11. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."
Paul reminds Corinthians tempted by immorality that their body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. He adds that "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price." This gives the body, sexuality and self-image a dignity and a framework. Read all of 1 Corinthians 6.
12. 2 Timothy 2:22
"Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Paul gives Timothy a two-step instruction. He must flee what drags us down, "Flee from youthful lusts," then actively pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. Giving things up is not enough. You must fill your life with what is good, in good company. Read all of 2 Timothy 2.
Friendships that build
13. Proverbs 17:17
"A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity."
A true friend is described by duration. "A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity." At the age when friendships change quickly, this proverb helps you spot those who stay when things go badly, and to become that kind of friend yourself. Read all of Proverbs 17.
14. Proverbs 13:20
"One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
The wise writer observes a simple law of human relationships. "One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." We come to resemble more and more those with whom we spend time. Choosing your friends is choosing a little who you will become. Read all of Proverbs 13.
15. 1 Corinthians 15:33
"Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals."
Paul quotes a Greek proverb to Corinthians who are letting themselves be influenced by false teachings. He warns: "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." He does not say to cut all ties with unbelievers, but to remain lucid about the influence you let work on you. Read all of 1 Corinthians 15.
16. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up."
Ecclesiastes observes the advantages of life in pairs and concludes: "Two are better than one," because when one falls, the other lifts him up. Woe to the one who falls alone. In the difficult periods of youth, having someone to talk to honestly changes a great deal. Read all of Ecclesiastes 4.
Moving forward with courage
17. Joshua 1:9
"Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua, the young successor of Moses, must lead the people into the promised land. God repeats to him: "Be strong and courageous." He gives him the reason not to be afraid: Yahweh is with him wherever he goes. Courage here comes from God's presence. Read all of Joshua 1.
18. Matthew 6:33
"But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well."
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus invites us not to worry about food, clothing, the future. He proposes an order of priorities: "seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness." The rest will be added. The future is better built by placing God first than by sacrificing everything to success. Read all of Matthew 6.
19. Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
A father advises his son not to bet everything on his own intelligence. "Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding." Acknowledging God in all decisions, studies, relationships, orientations, is letting him make the path straight. Read all of Proverbs 3.
20. Luke 2:52
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
Luke tells almost nothing about Jesus's youth. Yet he gives this summary: "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." He grew mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. It is a balanced program for every young person. Read all of Luke 2.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Bible verse for a young person?
1 Timothy 4:12 is often quoted: "Let no man despise your youth; but be an example." Ecclesiastes 12:1 invites you to remember your Creator from youth, and Proverbs 3:5-6 to entrust your choices to him. The best one is the one you read, understand and put into practice.
What does the Bible say to young people about purity?
It proposes both fleeing what drags us down and pursuing what is good (2 Timothy 2:22). It reminds us that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Purity is not a burden but a way of protecting what has value. It is better lived when surrounded by good friendships.
How can a young person grow in faith?
Read the Bible a little each day, for example a chapter of a Gospel, and pray with simple words. Join a youth group in a church, find a friend or an older person who supports you, and put into practice what you learn. Luke 2:52 describes a balanced growth, from body to spirit.