RICHARD & RACHEL GREEN

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) is the command that Paul gave to the Galatians. It obviously applies to all followers of Christ, then and now, both young and old alike. There are many ways in which each of us may, or may not, be carrying this out in what we do for our brethren and sisters.

The aim of this article is to identify those areas of caring and burden-sharing in which young people are particularly well equipped to help. It is hoped that it will give young people ideas about ways in which they can actively “fulfil the law of Christ”. It will not be by any means exhaustive; nor will it only be applicable to young people, although it has been written particularly with them in mind.

We must all show care for one another. In looking at these areas we hope to see the principles behind caring, and the reasons why the work of helping one another is so necessary.

Our title comes from Galatians 6, the passage which follows the description of the fruit of the Spirit contrasted with the works of the flesh. The first few verses of chapter 6 connect with the topic of chapter 5 in speaking of the way we should ‘walk in the Spirit’ in relation to others:

Our title from Galatians 6:2 states the principle of which verse 1 is an example. We can see the obvious relation with the statement in Galatians 5:14 about the law given to Moses:

Christ fulfilled the law by doing exactly that: he loved his neighbour as himself. Christ’s law follows the same principle of loving or caring for one another.

The immediate context of this particular command, to bear one another’s burdens, is related to someone having a fault, sinning or being in error. Later in the chapter the command seems to be expanded by such statements as, “let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (v. 10).

The term ‘pastoral’ is often used to describe care for the practical needs of brethren and sisters. Yet this distinction from the spiritual needs does not appear to be appropriate to the Scriptural idea of a pastor or shepherd who would look after all the needs of his flock. Of course, Christ is the true Shepherd, and we are his flock. As followers of Christ’s example we should all be involved in all aspects of shepherding work. However, in this age, without the appointment of pastors by the Holy Spirit, our caring for others should be as one sheep calling to another who is wandering, or one sheep comforting another in need.

Caring for others must be based on our love for one another in Christ. We have each been given possessions or abilities by God, and caring for others is using them in one way that God wishes. Giving and caring must be done with the attitude of mind that everything belongs to God.

Charity in the world has become associated with a patronising, ‘I know what’s best for you’, attitude. It results directly from disbelief in God, and the belief that an individual owns his or her possessions. We must beware of falling into this trap with its consequences for our love of others.

In looking at the ways in which we are to put into practice the bearing of others’ burdens it is useful to think about what we have been given by God. The possessions or abilities we have been given may be particularly suited to certain work. Young people have certain assets which enable them to be potentially helpful in a number of areas. The following practical suggestions are made with these in mind. Of course, not all young people have all the assets mentioned, and many of them may be possessed by older people too.

One asset that young people often have is relative freedom from family commitments. This means that they may be in a good position to visit those who are housebound by such commitments, by illness or by disability. Couples who cannot attend meetings due to young children will often welcome a visit from a young brother or sister during the week, perhaps to discuss the readings. They may also appreciate an offer to baby-sit so that they can attend a Bible Class or other meeting together.

Elderly people, especially those who live alone, are usually only too pleased to receive a visit from a young brother or sister, perhaps in the evening, or on a Saturday (the latter can be a very quiet and dull day for the elderly). Depending on how well you know the person, you could offer to do the readings with them, just go for a chat, do some shopping for them, dig the garden or plant some bulbs (a few flowers in spring can mean a lot to somebody who is virtually housebound). Of course, it is not just the elderly who would appreciate such visits, but also the sick or disabled.

If you have a car and few family commitments there are other possibilities: many elderly or disabled people rarely get out into the countryside or a park, and would love to be taken for a drive to a local beauty spot; others very rarely get a chance to visit large shops and would welcome a trip to town; such trips are a good way of helping somebody if you are shy, as conversation will often flow from the scenery you pass in the car.

By helping in these ways you can get to know people’s needs and difficulties, and be in a better position to help and offer the true love and fellowship Christ intends us to have for one another.

Young people often enjoy a reasonable level of health and fitness, and these qualities can be used to help those who find it difficult to get basic jobs done. In addition to the gardening and shopping mentioned above, the high cost of home helps these days means that an offer to vacuum around or help with spring cleaning may be welcomed.

Such offers are probably better saved for when you know the person quite well, as they may otherwise be regarded as criticism. Also, some elderly people are fiercely independent. Preparing meals can also be very difficult for the elderly, and many would welcome an invitation out to lunch or dinner from a young couple.

This health and fitness can also be used to help with the preaching efforts which do so much to build up the ecclesia. Most people who have been involved in Special Efforts would agree that they have benefited personally from working with others; and often, work done with others does not seem like work at all. With respect to preaching efforts, young brethren and sisters are especially important in encouraging young people to attend Special Effort events. Many young people in the world are put off something if it seems to be run by and for middle-aged and elderly people; it is important that young people are actively visible at such events and seem to be normal—not frumpy or old fashioned!

In a similar vein, because of their youth, young brethren and sisters often find it easy to relate to teenagers who have not been baptized, and, similarly, such teenagers often respond better to younger rather than older members of the ecclesia. This means that young brethren and sisters who have demonstrated spiritual maturity can be invaluable as leaders of Youth Circle activities and discussions. It is important, however, that young members of the ecclesia do not become exclusively absorbed in dealing with the members of the Youth Group, and fail to develop relationships with their other brethren and sisters; this often results in age-group divisions which are very damaging, and can also mean that the faith of the young brother or sister does not really mature. On this theme, it would be very valuable if youth groups made it a priority, as in some ecclesias, to publicise their existence and to attract young people in the world to join them, and learn of the true gospel message. Young brethren and sisters can be of great value in this area of preaching.

Enthusiasm is another quality often associated with youth, and in the Brotherhood it can often be seen in those people who have been recently baptized. Of course, many people maintain and develop this enthusiasm throughout their lives, but for some it wanes with the passing of time.

Perhaps one way in which young people can be very helpful to others is by infecting with their own enthusiasm those who are struggling with the cares of this life. Any attempt to do this must be made sensitively, as not everybody responds well to being ‘jollied along’ by brash and beaming youth. But if young people are seen to be discussing Scripture and supporting preaching events with enthusiasm they can do much to encourage others by their evident enjoyment of such activities.

Related to the point made above is the fact that young brethren and sisters are usually keen to grow spiritually and in knowledge of the Scriptures. This quality means that they are in a good position to discuss the Truth with older members of the ecclesia. If younger brethren and sisters really make the effort to break the ice and speak to older ones on spiritual matters, the quality of conversations after meetings is enhanced, and the whole ecclesia will benefit from this. This is much easier said than done if you are shy, as it can be difficult for young people to approach older ones; but if you have a point or a question ready, perhaps one that you have thought of when doing the daily readings, this will help. Of course, older brethren and sisters can help by making the first approach, perhaps by asking a younger brother or sister what they think on a particular point; but do give the younger person the chance to respond; do not hog the conversation, and do not underestimate their understanding!

Because of the relative freedom from family commitments already mentioned, and the likelihood that they are not asked to prepare as many addresses as those who are older, young brethren and sisters may have the time to help those in need outside their immediate ecclesia. The Christadelphian Bible Mission is still in need of tutors to correspond with interested people overseas, for example. Some ecclesias collect basic food and medical items for ecclesias in poorer countries, and many other ecclesias would do the same if somebody was prepared to organise it.

The suggestions made above are by no means exhaustive, but it is hoped they will serve as an encouragement to young people by illustrating some of the ways in which they can be of great value within an ecclesia. It is easy to write and read about such suggestions, and it is not really that much more difficult to put them into practice once the first moves have been made. For many of us the first move is the most difficult, since we may not find it easy to approach others. The following suggestions are made with such people in mind.

If you have decided you would like to do more for somebody, make it a matter of prayer. God will most certainly be on your side and may provide an opportunity for you to help. You can start by trying to sit in a different part of the meeting room each week, and making a point of chatting to those nearest you afterwards. It may be helpful if you gain some idea of the interests particular brethren and sisters have from someone else in the ecclesia who knows them; this may provide you with a talking point, or even a common interest. You could ask whether the brother or sister you wish to help sees many people during the week, or manages to get out much, and gauge from their answer whether they would appreciate a visit, some practical help or a trip out.

Many of the suggestions made above may seem obvious and mundane. However, in many ecclesias these tasks are not taken on by the younger brethren and sisters. The whole ecclesia is made poorer by this, as it is in simple acts of selflessness that true Christian love lies, and through the doing of these acts that fellowship and unity within an ecclesia grows. Young brethren and sisters are valuable within an ecclesia, but they must receive all the positive encouragement they need if they are to fulfil their role and if the ecclesia and the individuals within it are to fulfil ‘the law of Christ’.

It is obvious from several passages that caring for the needs of others is an essential part of following Christ. James in his epistle uses caring as an example of the way that true faith will be demonstrated in works: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (Jas. 2:15-17). We must care for the needs of our brother or sister. In Matthew 25 words of Jesus emphasise that our salvation is affected by whether or not we care for others. In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats the King at the judgement tells those on the left hand: “Depart from me . . . For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not” (vv. 41-43). When asked how it was they had not done these things the King replies: “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me” (v. 45).

The question we must ask ourselves is, “Could we find Jesus saying that to us?”. Let us rather care for one another, striving to be among those to whom Christ will say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (v. 34).