So Little Time. What Now?

I want my students to “win” by experiencing Jesus, but my time with them is limited! What now?

I remember meeting Mitchell, a middle school student with green hair, bright pink skinny jeans, and a skateboard tucked under his arm when he started coming to my youth group. I was glad he came, but I didn’t always know how to connect with him. Part of my problem was he came from an environment and had life experiences that were difficult and very different than mine. I wanted him to “win” in life - to experience the good news of Jesus. Unfortunately, I only had him for a few hours a week while the world had the rest. How could I make the most of the hours I did have with him?

Be a safe place and love like Jesus loved.

Safety is fertile ground for healthy relationships.

Safety comes from trust and trust comes from faithfulness.

Trustworthiness is more than just speaking the truth, even more than speaking the truth in love. It’s about earning and deserving someone’s confidence that you can be trusted.

Faithfulness is more than just putting in your time. It’s about persistently demonstrating loyalty to and care for the people you serve to prove that you can be depended upon.

Accept with a gospel agenda.

Ten years later, Mitchell himself says about that time, “I was accepted with a [gospel] agenda.” That’s how Jesus lived - He loved people intentionally. He welcomes us as we are, but never stops working with us to become who He designed us to be. His “agenda” is to lead us to new and abundant life that can only be found in Him.

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:17)

One Final Thought
Mitchell’s story is a great reminder that, when someone’s life is not characterized by safety or good news, youth leaders who are a safe place and love like Jesus loved can make a huge impact even when the time is limited.

What are your thoughts?