Ministering to the Young Single Adult - Elmer Towns

3. Wants to succeed in his work but finds competition disturbing.4. Feels a great sense of loneliness.5. Feels strange in a new situation with new responsibilities.6. Must make independent choices that can bring sorrow or joy.7. Finds difficulty in breaking family ties.8. Must make ends meet, pay his own bills, live on a budget.9. Must begin to think through values of life on his own.10. Must learn how to handle social pressures.11. Must learn to get along with himself. 2A few suggestions are offered to help the young single adult find answers in thesearch for identity:1. A true appraisal of one’s spiritual condition before God. The young singleadult, whether Christian or not, whether spiritual or not, must realize who he is in God’ssight. He must realize that he is a member of the human race and as such in need ofredemption. He must realize that he is one for whom Christ died. “He [Christ] is thepropitiation for our sins” (I John 2:2). Also, the young single adult must realize that he isa child of God and a special concern for God’s love. “These things have I written to youthat believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (IJohn 5:13).2. A knowledge of one’s abilities and gifts. “Know thyself” has been a by-wordfor human development since the days of Socrates. The young single adult must have atrue appraisal of his own “station” in life. The girl should have some idea of her physicalappearance to others-especially to the opposite sex. If she is appealing and does not knowit, she may be hindered from reaching her potential or finding a mate. If she isunappealing, she should know it so she can change her outer life.In business, knowledge of one’s abilities will bring happiness. The ten-talentperson in the five-talent position will bring frustration, also the reverse. The five-talentperson in the ten-talent job will be unhappy. Pity the young clerk who has the ability tobecome an assistant manager but will not take the initiative because he doesn’t trusthimself. Inner security comes from a true knowledge of one’s abilities. Therefore, whenthe young single adult has a true appraisal of himself he will probably be happier andbetter adjusted to life.3. A knowledge of the needs of young single adults. Some young people arethrown into a tailspin when they face the problems of young adulthood. They expectadulthood to solve all their moral, emotional and vocational problems. Now, they find