5887 inexperience
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5887 inexperience

Lack of experience of life or a particular aspect of life. Inexperience is often associated with the young who are thus vulnerable and who should be taught by those older and wiser. God sometimes calls the inexperienced to leadership but usually also provides encouragement and support from more experienced leaders.

The inexperience of youth

1 Samuel 3:4-7; Jeremiah 1:6 See also Deuteronomy 1:39; 1 Kings 3:7; 1 Chronicles 29:1; 2 Chronicles 10:8-11 pp 1 Kings 12:8-11; 2 Chronicles 13:7; Isaiah 7:15-16

The inexperienced may be led astray

2 Kings 17:41 Children often follow in the ways of their parents ; Matthew 18:6 See also 1 Kings 22:53; 2 Kings 24:9; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2

God's call to the inexperienced

Jeremiah 1:7-8 See also 1 Samuel 16:11-13 David, Jesse's youngest son, is chosen by God; 1 Samuel 17:33 David's inexperience in the face of Goliath; 1 Timothy 4:12 Timothy was called to pastor a church despite his youth. In general, however, church leaders should be people of experience (see 1Ti 3:6).

Support for the inexperienced

Teaching the inexperienced

Deuteronomy 4:9-10; Job 8:8-9 Each generation learns from the wisdom and experience of those going before. See also Deuteronomy 11:2-7; Deuteronomy 31:13; Job 32:6-7; Psalm 71:18; Psalm 78:3-5; Proverbs 5:1-2; Ephesians 6:4

Examples of help given to the inexperienced

1 Chronicles 22:5 See also Deuteronomy 1:38 Moses is to encourage his young successor, Joshua; Judges 3:1-2 teaching warfare to those who have no experience of it; 1 Samuel 3:8-10 Eli instructs the inexperienced Samuel; 1 Kings 19:19-21 Elisha becomes Elijah's attendant; 1 Chronicles 28:20 David encourages Solomon to build the temple; Proverbs 4:3-4 Solomon recalls the instruction given by his father; Acts 15:39 Barnabas takes John Mark with him; 2 Timothy 3:14-15 Paul reminds Timothy of the example he has been given.

See also

5051  responsibility
5664  children
5725  old age
5731  parents
5746  youth
5853  experience of life
5949  shyness
6181  ignorance
8277  innocence
8414  encouragement



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