Youth Worker BOOST: Foundations
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.
“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
Recently I had to install something called a French drain across the front of my house. As I dug down along the concrete slab the house is built on, I was amazed at how far the foundation went into the ground. I never did find the bottom of the slab but I sure felt better about my house knowing it sits on a good and solid foundation.
A house is only as good as its foundation.
Take the most solid looking house you can find. If its foundation is poorly constructed, there will come a point in the future where it begins to show the results of its weak base. There is, of course, a ton of spiritual parallel here.
Most of us who minister to teenagers are still adding to the foundation of their faith. This looks a little different depending on the level of spiritual input their parents have been responsible for. But in some way, we’re helping them build a level of their base.
Paul was convinced he had laid the proper foundation. That foundation? Faith in Jesus Christ, of course. Paul cautioned that we should properly build on that foundation. There was never a thought that the work would end once the foundation was complete.
What are you putting on the “concrete slab” of your student’s faith? Is it popular topics or good theology? Is it your words or God’s Word? Do you have some students who are ready to start building? What are you doing to help stretch the faith of these students?
Our prayer for you:
Our prayer is that you would be an expert builder, knowing exactly what your students need, and only giving them the Truth of God and 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: I’ve Got A Secret
Next Week’s BOOST: A Good Conscience
Get more BOOST articles HERE!
