Does Ministry ever take a rest? I hope not!! Since returning from our mission trip to Rochester, NY I am learning so much about Ministry. Not necessarily to the unsaved, but Discipleship, ministering to the believers. I'm not the one go out and randomly pray with people, or even stand at the alter and pray with someone just because they come and would like prayer. Not sure why I'm not all that comfortable doing that, but we all have stuff we need to work on.
I really enjoy encouraging believers and challenging them with the truths of the Word. Not that I am a Bible Scholar, but I like to take the Word and teach not only what the Bible says, but also what it doesn't say. Do you remember James and John asking Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire and destroy a Samaritan village(luke 9:54). Jesus kinda gave them a scolding. But think of the Faith of James and John.....what confidence!!! Almost as if they have done it before. Then only a few verses before those events, John saw someone casting out demons in the name of Jesus, and he wasn't an Apostle....John was offended, but Jesus said, "do not stop him". So you don't have to be anyone special, just a follower and lover of Jesus Christ, love Him and others, have compassion like Jesus, and the Holy Spirit gives you the same power the Apostles had. Jesus even tells us in the book of John (14:12) that we are to do even greater things than He did because we have the power of the Holy Spirit. Wow.....how do you grasp that. See the things that are said, and the things unsaid both match. Scripture is amazing.
I believe that the Biblical events build our faith, but we can't see them as Bible Stories, but Historical Events, Biblical Events. Stories are for children and society has changed the meaning of a story. Seems most stories we hear about are fiction. But the only thing fictional in the Bible are the Parables that Jesus tells. We have to take the word of God serious, what it says and what it also implies. Makes reading the Bible so much more interesting.
I have been leading a small group of Youth through discipleship material, basic Bible Doctrine. It is so much fun. Hearing all those crazy questions that nobody has the answers for. We have some amazing kids in our church, and I'm sure you do in yours as well. Get involved in their lives, give them space and respect and love them, and you'll be amazed how they trust you. Discipleship is Mentoring, just a "Church word". We mentor by building relationship and loving, and living, and watch your influence grow. They listen, and actually apply what they are being taught when it makes sense.
Privileged To Be In His Service,
Todd Smith
