God First, Others Second, Self Third

God First, Others Second, Self Third

Young People and Their Place in the Church

Senior Pastor G. Ryan Perry PhD.

July 19, 2026

Good Hope Baptist Church

Primary Texts: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Luke 2:41–52; Deuteronomy 6:5–7; 1 Samuel 1–3; John 1:12; Galatians 4:4–5; 1 Samuel 17; Galatians 2:20; 1 Timothy 4:12; Matthew 19:13–14

Big Idea: Because the gospel is true, Jesus cannot be merely one important part of our lives. He is our life. Therefore, believers of every age are called to order their lives with God first, others second, and themselves third—and the church must recognize, teach, and encourage its young people as active members of the body of Christ.

Governing Question: If Jesus is truly Lord and the gospel is the source of our life, how should that truth order our daily decisions and shape the place we give young believers in the church?