Are you willing to give 8 hours this summer so that the Word of God can spread?…if so read on.

There seems to be a real problem in the church today.  People are afraid to share what they know with the Middle School students.  For the most part most middle school ministries across America have become a drop off and pick up weekend event.  The majority of the parents do not know their child’s small group leaders name and further complicating things, most have no idea what their children are even learning.  It’s quite sad really.

Summer is here and to be honest I am concerned.  Our adults who serve on Sunday morning in both the Student and Children’s ministry are taking some much needed time off (for the summer).  For the student ministry, 12 spots are open for people who can lead middle school small groups.  The qualifications are pretty simple.  If you are an adult you are more than qualified to lead a middle school small group.  Pretty simple right?  I think there is this assumption that you have to be a really great communicator for middle school students to like you.  To be honest to the trick to middle school is showing the students that you care…and this can be accomplished by being a good listener.  So if you can listen, and read from a list of small group questions, you are more than qualified.

Let me paint the picture of what could happen though.  We could move forward with out enough adult leadership for the summer.  The students could come to church, engage in worship and perhaps during the message; however, the relational side of the ministry will be dead in the water.  Without small group leaders we could lose some of these students.  Students who just want affirmation in knowing that they are not broken, strange, and unloved.  It’s not difficult to understand what students go through…it just takes a willing heart and someone who is willing to listen.

You may not be called to serve in the student ministry forever, but if you are saved you have been called to advance the Gospel. Chew on this for a moment.

The Great Commission says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”.

This is not a trick question, but how can someone be discipled if they don’t even know the Lord? How can you and I be used by God to  this summer to fulfill the great commission?   It’s simple, we must put ourselves into a position where we can share the Gospel and serve others.

Now Consider Acts 6:1-6

1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews^[a]among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ^2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ^3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ^4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

^5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ^6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. ^7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Here’s a few points to consider from this story.  The early church experience a bit of a volunteer shortage.  The widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  This was happening because there was shortage of help.  So the Apostles told the members of the church to identify some help so that they can be given this responsibility.  The church leaders found seven men.  Notice the next thing in verse 7.  It does not say that widows were not being taken care of, it says that the Word of God spread.

Here’s what we can take away and parallell with the student ministry.  When you and I serve God in an area, the Word of God spreads.  When you and I serve God, He begins to work on our hearts and pull us closer to Him and ultimately where He wants us to be.

The student ministry is looking for 12 adults who can commit 8 hours of time this summer (1 hour each week).  Are you willing to fill a need to that the Word of God can spread?  Are you willing to be used this summer so that relationships can continue?  If so contact me.