The first century Church appointed seven men excluding the twelve apostles. It was to minister at the tables. They were later known as ministers- deacon. In the New Testament Church their activities were very important. Later many of them became powerful missionaries. Example: Philip, Stephen. A man’s youth is of utmost significance. Ecclesiastes reminds us to remember the creator in your youth (Ecc. 11: 9; 12: 1).Paul advices to lead a pure life in one’s youthful days. Do not use your youthful strength for evil (Proverbs 5: 9). Youthfulness should not be disdained. It becomes meaningful when a God-centered and Christ-centered life is led. The young generation face a lot of challenges in the contemporary era. Many temptations raise challenges to their spirituality. We live in a time wherein the nuclear family system, social media, advances in telecommunication technology and the idea of ‘global village’ have made the world quite small. The youth are made to engage in jobs that constrain their thoughts about God and Godly matters. The growth of science has frequently questioned their Christian faith. At this point thought must be put into how the contemporary youth can remain proactive in Christ.

1. Daniel in the Path of Action (Daniel 1: 1-17)
The book of Daniel points to the exemplary spiritual life of young Daniel. The young Jewish men Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishel (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego) who were brought as captives to Babylon resolved to stay in their pure lives even in Babylon. The new circumstances, religion, culture or eating habits failed to tempt them. They remained different even in food and drinks. When today’s youth have to face circumstances where they have to stay in a different country, culture and language these Jewish young men can be their models. Like how in their situation they proved that Jehovah is the true God the present youth should also be willing to do the same.

2. Ministers in the Path of Action (Acts 6: 1-7)
The men appointed to do the ministry at the tables in the first century Church did their ministry in faith, Holy Spirit, wisdom and good testimony. They are models for today’s youth to be in action with Christ. One amongst them, Stephen, became a martyr for the gospel. Likewise Philip as a missionary did Spirit- filled ministry in Samaria. The whole of Samaria believed in Christ and got baptized (Acts 8: 8- 17). Through Philip, a eunuch who was an important official of the Queen of Ethiopia heard the gospel and a Church was established in Africa (Acts 8:26- 40).

3. Andrew who saw Christ, in the Path of Action (John 1: 35- 42)
When Andrew who was the disciple of John the Baptist saw Christ, he left John and followed Jesus. He stayed with Jesus for a day. The next day he came to Jesus with his brother Simon Peter. Thus both of them became Jesus’ disciples. Those who met Christ should share it with others like how Andrew did, and bring others also to Jesus. Youth should be able to stay in action with Christ. We can make Daniel, Andrew and the ministers of the New Testament as models.