Welcome

We at national youth ministries thank God for you and your commitment to youth! Thank you for loving and leading students. This monthly e-publication is about you, the youth leader. Every issue aims to encourage excellence and spark ideas in you as you endeavor to “make disciplined-learners (disciples)” of youth for Jesus Christ. We want to help you win, build and send them to fulfill the Great Commission. You are our heroes in this charge. We believe in you! Pray daily. Live like Jesus. Tell the Truth. Serve others. Give generously. You’ve got Momentum! —Jay Mooney, national youth director

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From Leader to Leader

Scotty Gibbons has been the director of reallife student ministries at James River Assembly for over twelve years. When he started, Scotty could drive the entire youth group around in a van. Today, the reallife student center is home to more than 600 students and nearly 200 volunteer leaders. Needless to say, it takes a few more vans to get around these days. Scotty is a nationally recognized youth communicator with a passion for reaching students and equipping leaders. Scotty, his wife Casey and their three daughters live in Ozark, Missouri. In this Leader to Leader section my assignment is to share with you something that I wish someone had told me earlier in ministry. Unfortunately, libraries could not hold the volumes that could be written on such a topic. If you add to that things I wish I could do over I’m not sure that 100 terabytes (that would be 100,000 gigs) of memory could store them. I could talk about a lot of practical things like blowing it on a leadership front with a student, or a leader, or a parent, and yes even with my senior pastor. But I’d rather not relive those moments. It would also be advantageous to focus on something like reaching students, or better yet, keeping the students that you reach. What about writing sermons they will listen to, developing websites they will look visit, or launching small groups they will attend. Those would be great topics for discussion and would produce pretty significant results if managed appropriately. But if there was only one lesson that I could pass on it wouldn’t be any of the areas I just mentioned. I realize that some will consider what I’m about to write as a “spiritual” answer. But in order to answer the question honestly, I have to boil it down to one thing. If you fail at everything else in life, don’t fail to walk with God. I knew you would think it sounded super spiritual! So many guys lose out on their walks with God while going crazy trying to win on their works for God. Countless youth leaders are spiritually weak and yet that live with a consuming passion to be programmatically strong. We’re missing it! Everything we do for God should be nothing more and nothing less than an overflow of who we are in God. If you could embrace on thing and guard it with all of your strength and might, guard your personal time, love, and worship for Christ. Matthew 6 teaches us that if we will keep Him first, He will take care of the rest.

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Sermon Outline

Growing in God Luke 2.39-52 A lot of people are kicking off the year with a resolution to work out.  Some want to be healthier others want to be stronger and the majority simply want to look better. -So, they head to the Fitness Center and use equipment like this to help accomplish their goals. Now, obviously there is a lot of merit to physical fitness. -But today I want to talk to you about the importance of spiritual fitness. (God’s gym) Our passage teaches us the importance of spiritual growth.  Specifically, we see the model that Jesus gave us for spiritual growth. 1.  The Necessity of His Growth – vv.39-40 In Chapter 1 His birth was foretold. -In Chapter 2.1-38 we learned of His birth and how Mary and Joseph took him to the temple when He was 8 days old to fulfill the law. And now these two verses sum up the first twelve years of Jesus’ life. Some people have a hard time with this concept of Jesus needing to grow.  He was 100% God. -But Jesus set aside His divine privileges when He came to this earth.  He came as a man. Philippians 2.5-7  READ He had to learn to walk.  He had to learn to talk. -He needed to grow. He grew in physical strength – 40a          -He was a carpenter’s son – Mark 6 -He walked for miles – As we will see in a second, he traveled with His family on an 80 mile trip. -He had to be strong to endure the torture of the Roman soldiers. He had to grow because He needed to be strong enough to carry the cross! Not only did he grow physically, but He grew in His understanding of God’s purpose for His life.  We’ll look more closely at that in v.49 in just a moment. Jesus grew and became strong, and v.40 says that he was full of wisdom and the grace of God was upon Him. Growth was a necessity for Him and it is not an option for you and me. Of all the goals that you have this year, it is a necessity that you make spiritual growth your number one priority. Churches are full of people who are spiritually immature, many of whom have been in church all of their lives. -If their clothing matched their spiritual maturity they would be dressed like infants and sucking pacifiers. They are content to simply go to church and do their time.  The church world is a game to them.  For others it is a conscience pleaser…it’s the right thing to do.          -And this is so backwards! How discouraging would it be if you went to a gym for every week for 25 years and never got in better shape?  “ I’m still riding the bike for 5 mnts.” Some people go through a lot of effort to get here each week and are content with leaving unchanged! They get up early on a Sunday, get dressed, drive the drive, fight the traffic, find a seat and leave no closer to God than when they came in and they are OK with it! How strange would it be, if you saw the same person walk in the gym wearing all of the latest sports wear, really looking the part…they wait in line for the equipment… -…go through the motions of preparing to work out.  They get their towel ready and do some stretches and loosen up…then they climb on a bike and sit there. (Act out) “It just makes me feel better to be in a gym.  I just want to be healthy.” This is not about having a religion or attending a church.  It’s spiritual growth…and it’s a necessity.  There are trials that you will face this year that will require spiritual strength and resolve. Without the ability to stand, you will be swallowed up. -The enemy is poised and ready to wreak havoc on your family or your job.  You have to grow and be strong if you want to stand! There are opportunities for you to grow and victories to be won.  -But unless you’re willing to grow and be prepared to seize the moment when they come, you will miss it. This year will come and go and you won’t be any closer to Jesus than you are right now!  And some of you won’t even be as close as your are right now.          -You can’t stay the same.  Growth is a necessity. 2.  The Evidence of His Growth – vv.41-50 vv.41-43a – READ and explain. They had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. -This was an 80 mile trip assuming they went around Samaria. The fact that vv.41-42 says that it was their custom to go every year shows their devotion. -Additionally, v.43a states that they stayed the full seven days.  Even more indication of their devotion. Joseph and Mary were righteous people and they were godly parents.  And as godly parents they were committed to raising godly children. However, even godly parents aren’t perfect parents. -READ vv.43b-46a  Can you imagine the fear and anxiety?  Three days! READ vv.46-49 v.46 - He had a hunger and thirst for spiritual matters. v.47 – He had spiritual insight. A result of His growth. v.48 – Mary and Joseph were relieved, astonished and confused all at the same time. They didn’t understand why Jesus who had been so responsible and trustworthy had willingly stayed behind.  But the couldn’t deny they right before their very eyes He was growing into the man that He left heaven and came to earth to become. v.49 – The first words of Jesus recorded in scripture. True evidence of spiritual depth and growth is when you understand your purpose and it becomes more important to you than anything else. Jesus was not being disrespectful.  He is making a statement that He’s growing up, and that there is a mission that He must fulfill. v.50 - The fact that Mary and Joseph didn’t fully understand simply shows that God’s divine plan is bigger than our ability to comprehend. 3.  The Pattern of His Growth – vv.51-52 This final portion of the section sums up Luke’s attempt to introduce Jesus to us and He prepares to launch Jesus’ ministry. -And to do that he returns to the concept of Jesus’ growth. And while the first reference describes Jesus’ growth from 0-12, this reference refers to His life from 12 on.  And it’s provides for us a great model for growth. Scripture is clear that we’re to follow Jesus’ example. -1 John 2.6 – Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. -Philippians 2.5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. -1 Peter 2.21 – To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. So, what was His pattern? A.  He had a Submissive Heart – 51a -He was teachable.  He listened.  He obeyed. Would that be true of you?  Does pride keep you from experiencing the growth that God has for you? B.  He had Spiritual Leadership – 51b Mary and Joseph were godly parents.  They weren’t perfect but they were committed to following the Lord’s voice. And Mary’s response shows us once again how committed she was to correctly handle her God-given responsibility of raising this child… -She pondered these things. -And not just this moment but she recalls 2.21.  She is paying attention to what God is doing and what He has for her Son. C.  He grew in Wisdom and Stature Stature refers to physical growth and maturity.  As He grew up He grew wiser. Proverbs 4.7 – Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.  Though it cost you all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 16.16 – How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver. James 1.5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously t all without finding fault, and it will be given him D.  He grew in Favor with God and Man God’s blessing was on Him. God’s presence was with Him.  God was pleased with Him. -Why?  Because Jesus, even as a young boy, was committed to growing. How do you get favor? Proverbs 3.3-4 – Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. In Closing…five exercises you will find in God’s Gym: 1.  Constant Prayer             -Wednesday pm prayer 2.  Devotion to Bible Reading -Set a goal to read the bible through in a year.  If you get off track, don’t give up.  Keep going! 3.  Lifestyle of Witnessing -Nothing will keep you spiritually alert as sharing your faith.  Make it a goal to reach one person for Christ this year. -Do you realize that if each one of us just reached one person this year that we would have over 6,000 converts! 4.  Commitment to serve -If God speaks to you about meeting a need for someone do it.. serving in an area at the church…do it.             -(Getting baptized) 5.  Accountability relationship – Proverbs 27.17 This is your year for spiritual growth. -If Jesus doesn’t return first, at the end of this year you can be closer to God than ever before.

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For Your Library

Spiritual Leadership – Oswald Sanders Spiritual Leadership, in my opinion, really is the textbook of textbooks on leadership for ministers. Oswald Sanders cuts right to the soul with insights on passion, vision, motives, time management, delegation, and personal development. It’s not only worth reading, it’s worth re-reading on an annual basis. You will find yourself soul-searching on a personal level and writing outlines to share with your leaders. “The true spiritual leader is concerned infinitely more with the service he can render God and his fellowmen, than with the benefits and pleasures he can extract from life. He aims to put more into life than he takes out of it.” purchase the book online at: www.christianbook.com

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From the Field

L3 Conference Are you interested in attending a national conference that will bring you back to the basics and into the depths of student ministry? If so, check out L3, Realife’s Student Ministries Conference, hosted by James River Assembly – Springfield, Missouri. “As a father of three teens benefiting from the student ministry at JRA, I am confident that leaders attending L3 will treasure the fundamentals, creative concepts, and insightful truths that mark this student ministry with lasting success.” Jay Mooney, National Youth Director, The Assemblies of God Visit here for more information regarding this event.

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Resources

Free on-line devotions for students Go to www.youth.ag.org/discipleship for a free, daily on-line devotion. Each day a new devotion pops up. Students can also find information on fasting, spiritual gifts test, baptism, e-mailing a missionary, AG colleges and more! New Discipleship Tool A help when it comes to building a discipleship strategy is now available for the local youth ministry. This tool helps a youth leader build a strategy for discipling students. Check it out at http://momentum.ag.org/resources.cfm. It is also included as a new resource on thefiftytwo.com, under Strategies. New Resource: Worth the Wait This new resource deals with abstinence and the value of waiting. This four week discipleship tool is great for small groups, Sunday School classes or for use in a youth service. There's a leader and student manual as well as a manual for parents. Go to www.worththewait.net and read more.

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