Empowering Students To Serve Through Their Personalities

Here's a short post for a busy day. (If you're like us, you're already full swing in Back-To-School mode. FUN TIMES!!!)

Are you in the habit of helping your students identify and utilize their spiritual gifts? For some, this is an intentional aspect of their ministry. For others, not so much. Regardless of what camp you fall in, this question probably isn't foreign to you. We're all aware that our students have certain spiritual gifts that can and should be given avenues to express themselves. But today I want to look at another way of thinking about getting the best out of our students.

We can focus on helping students serve according to their spiritual giftings, and at the same time overlook helping them serve according to their passions and personality. Let me explain . . .

Spiritual gifts are certainly one way God equips us to serve. But if we believe in God's sovereignty, we have to also believe that our personalities are formed by His hand as well. When I say personality, I am talking about all those factors, both biological and environmental, that make us who we are. Factors such as where we live, our family dynamics, our unique experiences (both positive and negative), our intellect, and so on. When we look at our students personalities, we have to see them as gifts from God as well. And we should be looking to help students channel them just like we do spiritual giftings.

I would lump our students' passions (or interests) into this, as well. It's another side of personality. Those things that make our students excited? They are part of who God made them to be. And instead of ignoring or redirecting, we should be looking how to encourage and empower them to serve the Kingdom through these passions.

So, ask yourself, "Am I intentionally helping my students serve according not only to their spiritual giftings, but also to their personalities and passions?"

Just something to think about as you get ready for the new school year. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Leave a comment in the comment section below if you have a chance.