1. Challenge to Youth 1. First taste of independence (power goes to his head) return as servant Lk. 15:19 2. Disoriented in new environment (bad choices, waste resources) Lk. 15:13 3. Inexperienced (unknown consequences) famine of funds and friends Lk. 15:14

2. Lasting Consequences Experiment with drugs: Addicted Drink and Drive: Become Killer, Jailed Sexual Activity: Pregnancy or STD Drop out of school to marry, career change: Student loans received with notion of graduating, getting job in specified field, making sufficient income to repay quickly

3. JOSEPH 1800 B.C. 17 years old (Gen. 37:2) Mother died in childbirth (Gen. 35:16-20) Jealous brothers sold him (Gen. 37:28) Father believed he was dead (Gen. 37:31-35) Alone in foreign land, Egypt (Gen. 37:36) –He did not choose a college to move to –He left home with terrible relationship

4. JOSEPH Lord was with this slave (Gen. 39:2-3) Joseph refused to sin (Gen. 39:7-12) Lord was with this prisoner (Gen. 39:20-21) Hope found in butler (Gen. 40:23-41:1) Lord was with this dreamer (Gen. 41:16) Saw God’s will done (Gen. 50:19-20)

5. In Between The Youths Family in Egypt becomes a nation in number Nation becomes slaves to Egyptians Moses delivers them to Canaan Joshua leads in conquest Judges for 450 years (Acts 13:20) United Kingdom comes into existence with the first king, Saul

6. DAVID 970 B.C. Jealous Saul pursues David Separated from parents: 1 Sam. 22:1-4 Separated from wife: 1 Sam. 19:11-16 Separated from friend: 1 Sam. 18:1, 20:41-42 He lived in caves (no dorm, barracks) He was hungry (no cafeteria, fast food) He was hunted (no pursuits, he was pursued)

7. In Between The Youths Nation divides into Northern Kingdom of Israel and Southern Kingdom of Judah Israel’s taken into Assyria 722 B.C. Judah is taken into Babylonian Captivity 605 1st defeat and captives taken 593 2nd defeat and captives taken 586 Destruction of Jerusalem

8. DANIEL 605 B.C. Separated from parents by war Daniel’s captive in Babylon (parents?) Dan. 1:1-8 Youths appointed to court Daniel purposed in his heart to not eat Not parents’ rules being imposed on him Not religious leaders directing him Others likely ate (felt they had no choice)

9. In Between The Youths 605 Judah was defeated (Daniel was taken) 593 Second captives (Ezekiel was taken) 586 Jerusalem destroyed (Jeremiah) 539 Babylon falls to Medo-Persian empire 536 Jews return home and begin to rebuild the temple with the endorsement of the king Many Jews did not go back

10. ESTHER 480 B.C. Her parents were dead (Es. 2:5-7) Raised by cousin who was taken in 2nd wave She was likely born in foreign land Separated from guardian and made queen Jews were scheduled to be terminated Esther risks her life to save them: 4:13-16 Loved a land she had never seen and a people she was separated from (She had her own faith)

11. Having Your Own Faith Joseph saved Egypt and his family David became Israel’s greatest king Daniel showed foreign kings the true God Esther saved her nation from extinction You can save your soul, help your spouse to heaven, guide your children to eternity Comfort your parents