Youth Worker BOOST: A Good Conscience
ym360 knows youth workers. We know what an incredibly rewarding, yet incredibly challenging job youth ministry can be. There are days when your spirits are sky-high, and there are days when you could use a bit of a “pick me up” from God’s Word . . .
That’s why we’re happy to offer Youth Worker Boost, one of the many valuable resources on the ym360 Blog. Boost is a short, weekly piece of encouragement designed to, well, “boost” your spirits and encourage you as you minister to students.
We consider it yet another great opportunity to serve you and your ministry.
“Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.–1 Timothy1:18-19
Every boat needs an anchor. Whether it’s a 50,000 pound anchor for a cruise ship or an old crow bar for a small fishing boat, the purpose is still the same. Every ship needs some type of weighted device to keep it from drifting aimlessly in the water or from being pushed around by high wind and/or waves.
So what does a good conscience have to do with an anchor? Glad you asked.
Paul urges young Timothy to cling tightly to both his faith in Christ and to his clear conscience. Scholars believe the conscience Paul speaks of here is that part of our spirit that keeps us aware of our sin. To violate our conscience is to know what’s wrong yet do it anyway. OK, so, again . . . what’s the connection to the anchor? See, faith is the boat we travel through life in. A good conscience is like a good anchor. Without the anchor of sin awareness Paul says our little faith-boat would be shipwrecked. What a great word this is for those of us who have students, volunteers, parents, and so many others watching the paths our boats travel!
So, let your conscience be your guide. As long as it’s a conscience grounded in Jesus Christ and fueled by the Spirit!
Our prayer for you:
Our prayer is that your faith would be a disciplined faith, one that trusts God for life’s provisions, and seeks to live according to His ways.
Richard Parker has been a student minister for the past 33 years, serving at First Baptist Church in Russellville, AL for the past 23. He’s written a three volume set of Character Education curriculum for schools, has written “Character,” a year long devotional book for students, and writes Youth Worker BOOST, a weekly devotion for youthministry360.com. Richard speaks in schools as well as at various church and civic conferences.
Encouraged by today’s Youth Worker Boost? Don’t keep it a secret! Pass it along to a fellow youth worker or your adult volunteers. Share the love!
Look for a new Youth Worker Boost each Wednesday on the ym360 Blog.
Last Week’s BOOST: Foundations
Next Week’s BOOST: Chosen
Get more BOOST articles HERE!
