Messages by Desiring God Be an Iceberg Christian: Setting an Example in Your Youth
18 snips
Feb 28, 2026 
David Mathis, a senior leader and teacher known for preaching and writing on discipleship, urges young Christians to be 'iceberg' believers. He contrasts visible influence with hidden spiritual formation. Short takes cover pursuing holy ambition, the iceberg metaphor, five areas of example, and the importance of private habits that sustain public witness.
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Iceberg Christian Over Public Performance
- The iceberg metaphor means 10% of ministry is visible output while 90% is hidden input that sustains it.
- Outputs chasing inputs is dangerous; teach less from public demand and grow more from private depth.
Be An Intentional Public Example
- Devote yourself to being an example publicly in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity as Paul commands Timothy in 1 Timothy 4.
- Timothy should teach, read Scripture publicly, and show visible progress so others may emulate him.
Biblical Youth Models For Young Christians
- David Mathis cites biblical youth as concrete models: Daniel for purity, Jeremiah for faith, David and Esther for sacrificial love.
- These examples show young people refusing cultural contamination and answering risky calls from God.
