Did you know that Jonah was not the only prophet who gave a message to the great city of Nineveh? One hundred years after Jonah arrived at the gates of the Assyrian capitol on his divine errand of mercy, God commissioned Nahum to go there. What did he prophesy about Nineveh, and what can we learn from his story?

Few rulers were as sinfully ambitious as Athaliah, the only queen to rule over the southern kingdom of Judah in its history. But how bad was Athaliah really?

What do we know about the two kings named Ahaziah in the Bible? Why did neither of their reigns last more than three years?

Most readers will recognize Uriah as the husband of Bathsheba, who suffered an incredible injustice at the hands of his king. But who was Uriah really, and what should we know about him?

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul outlined the requirements for elders, overseers, and pastors in the church (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7). These terms, used interchangeably in the Bible, call upon pastors to be “above reproach,” “self-controlled,” “skillful in teaching,” and “holding firmly to the faithful word.” Of course, these are just a few qualities every pastor must possess. One quality, however, that is missing from this list is age.

How old should a pastor be to shepherd God’s people? That is a question many have asked over the years. The Bible, however, does not provide a direct answer.

As we see throughout Scripture, age matters far less to God than submissiveness and spiritual maturity when it comes to leadership (1 Timothy 4:12). We know that some of the most fruit-bearing churches have been led by seasoned pastors and literal elders who have faithfully ministered to the body of Christ for decades. On the other hand, some of the boldest and most outspoken ambassadors of the gospel have also been relatively young men.

Young or old, new or experienced, every pastor must rely on the wisdom, power, and guidance of the Holy Spirit to be an effective teacher and a trustworthy shepherd of Christ’s sheep (1 Peter 5:2-3). Regardless of age, pastoral leadership also comes with incredible responsibilities. Every pastor is accountable to God for the way he teaches and cares for Christ’s sheep. But while a young pastor may have much in common with his mentors in the faith, he will undoubtedly face unique challenges as he learns to navigate the rocky terrain of early pastoral ministry.

Here then are five ways you can support young pastors in the church.

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For over two thousand years, many have recognized Simon Peter as the brash and outspoken apostle of Jesus Christ. As a former fisherman, Peter was called by Jesus to become a fisher of man. In doing so, he would drop his nets, and like the others, leave everything behind to follow Jesus. Peter was the one who got out of the boat to walk with Jesus on the waves, was an eyewitness to the transfiguration of Jesus, then denied even knowing Jesus the night before His crucifixion. To say that Peter was unpredictable and, at times, unreliable would be an understatement. Nevertheless, Peter was recognized as a natural leader by others, including Jesus.

Jesus had chosen Simon Peter to be His trusted apostle, and though he had many faults, Christ was daily refining and transforming this impulsive young man into a bold and effective leader, pillar of the early church, and living epistle known and read by all men (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). Peter’s flaws and failures were evident. Nevertheless, because of Christ’s love and mercy, Peter’s story would ultimately be one of redemption.

Here, then, are seven lessons from Peter on grace and forgiveness.

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We know we live in an unjust world. So is it really possible to believe that God is just?

What can we learn from the tragic life of Judah's king Ahaz?

Just how do you take the plank out of your eye and remove the speck from your brother’s eye? Fortunately, Jesus makes it clear how we should apply this teaching.

Nathanael, also referred to as Bartholomew in the gospels, was one of Jesus’ original twelve disciples. Though not much is known about Nathanael’s background or personality, the apostle is revealed in the gospels to be an honest, insightful, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ and student of the Old Testament. After the resurrection, Nathanael would go on to be a key leader in the early church, taking the gospel to the ends of the earth as commissioned by his lord and savior. 

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It goes without saying that higher education has played and will continue to be a major influence in the lives of young adults around the world.

Of course, for Christians, having a degree from a four-year university is not a prerequisite for ministry or a sign of one’s usefulness in the body of Christ. In the Bible, we see God use scholars and common laborers alike to preach the gospel and build His kingdom.

Is college for everyone? No.

Does God call every Christian to go to college? Not at all.

For some believers, a good education can help train and equip them for the ministry they’ve been called to. For others, college can be an expensive detour from what God has really called them to do.

Christians must be willing go where God tells them to, allowing God to order their steps (Proverbs 16:9) and develop the gifts He has given them to advance the gospel and minister to others both in and outside of the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-17). For some, that includes college. For others, it does not. But for those currently enrolled in or considering enrolling in college, the Bible has many guiding principles and encouragements that students would be wise to treasure.

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