Youth Worker BOOST: Building On A Solid Foundation
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 offerYouth 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.
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. .”–1 Corinthians 3:10-11
If you are a youth minister or a youth worker, then you are a builder.
We help build our students’ knowledge through studying the Bible. We help build active faith-lives through encouraging them to apply their knowledge of God and His ways to their lives. We help build relationships through one-on-one and small group gatherings. We help build compassionate hearts through mission trips, and other service activities. It’s an awesome privilege to be able to play even a small role in shaping the faith-lives of our students.
Sometimes, however, being a builder can be tough. It’s not easy work. Unlike building a house, sometimes it’s hard to know if the structure is really coming along. The part we play as spiritual builders can be a complicated one. BUT, the great news is that we’re not starting from scratch. The Bible says a solid foundation has already been laid.
Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith and should be the cornerstone of everything we do in student ministry. With this solid foundation in place, we can devote our attention to laying out a great floor-plan for students. That plan should help them learn not only how to accept Christ, but to grow in their faith and experience, ultimately, calling them to powerfully demonstrate evidence of growth in all areas of their lives.
Jesus broke ground and laid the most solid foundation imaginable. He paved the way for us to do our jobs. Now, let’s go out and follow His plan.
Our prayer for you:
We pray that you would continue to see your “job” as a builder as something that impassions and inspires you. We pray that you would embrace the task of building solid spiritual structures on the true foundation of Christ, and that you will continue to find purpose and encouragement from the students whose lives you play a role in shaping.
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: Learning To Give
Next Week’s BOOST: I Am Weak, But He Is Strong
Get more BOOST articles HERE!
I need help establishing a good floor plan to build a
Rock solid youth ministry at my church.
I have taken the roll of youth leader and there
Is a lot of controversy on how it should be
Done so I am seeking out side help to build a
Growing youth group the is fun and full of GODS
Word….
Doug, Have you read “First Two Years In Youth Ministry” by Doug Fields? It’s an excellent guide. I’d also recommend “Simple Student Ministry” by Eric Geiger and Jeff Borton. These books will give you a a great roadmap. I’d seek out a youth pastor or two in your area and pick their brains. Ask them to help you think about an approach to getting started. My two cents? Make sure you’re primarily about leading teenagers closer to God through a deeper understanding and application of His Word. Let everything you do serve that end. Don’t start with programs, start with values and ask yourself how the best way to see these values built in your students. It’s a challenge, but God’s led you to this point. Go get ‘em!