I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for resources to help me in ministry. Resources that challenge me, inspire me and encourage me. My friend, Frank Gill just launched a great website with videos for ministry! I encourage you to visit often and spread the word about some great clips that you can use in your ministry!
Check it out!
Current Series: Call of DutyTitle: “Offensive Attack”
The Word: Ephesians 6:17-18, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 4:12.
Main Thought: God has armed us to defeat sin with His Word and prayer.
Message Explanation: God’s Word and Prayer are the offensive weapons to fire back at the enemy. The offensive weapons of salvation, the Word of God and prayer fuel a Christ follower in life. We are armed and dangerous to love the darkness with the light of Jesus.
Teaching Point #1. The helmet of salvation protects our mind. This protects our minds from Satan trying to deceive us out of our relationship with Christ. We have salvation in Jesus Christ not because of what we do, but by the grace of Jesus.
Ephesians 6:17a: “Put on salvation as your helmet….”
We have the mind of Christ. The helmet protects the head, the mind of the Christian. The less junk you fill your mind, the less junk will come out of your life!
Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Sword of the Spirit – The sword helps us to not be on the defensive all the time. Can you imagine a team only playing defense and never having the ball? The sword of the Spirit helps us to move forward no matter what is in front of us.
Ephesians 6:17b:“…and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Teaching Point: 2. God’s Word is how He communicates to us.
The Sword of the Spirit is our weapon. It’s God’s Word, the Bible in order to share God’s Story.
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Teaching Point #3: Prayer is aligning my heart with God’s heart. We need to be passionate about depending upon God everyday. The Holy Spirit will comfort, lead, and help us follow Jesus.
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Our purpose in life is the gear up daily and bring God glory with our lives. God has armed us to defeat sin with His Word and prayer. The battle around us is not physical. It is a supernatural battle. The Christian life is a battle! As followers of Christ, we have a call of duty to stand firm for Jesus. We need to suit up with the armor of God on a daily basis. Through Jesus, God has provided everything we need to stand firm against the enemy.
What are some areas that are holding you back in life? How can you go on the offense and get rid of distractions so you can live with one purpose?
Element of Fun: The middle school students played the game “Taylor Swift Lyric or Lamentations verse.” It was a lot of fun!
Music: Sweetness of Freedom, Forever Reign, Revelation Song, Set a Fire.
Favorite Moment: Listening to two of my leaders share the word in the middle and high school teaching time!
What’s Next: We are kicking off the summer with a message called, "How to make the most of summer!"
To watch any of the series messages, check out the vimeo page
Multi-site student ministry. If you told me a few years ago that I would be wading into the waters of multi-site ministry, I would have told you that you are CRAZY.
I've researched a lot about multi-site. I feel like a rookie that is hungry to learn. I've had great conversations, video chats and email communication with leaders all over the US. One theme that I keep hearing is that it is working! Students are coming to Christ and the church is growing outside of a one-dimensional role. We are seeing churches multiply themselves in other communities instead of pouring millions into more buildings at one location.
I have learned church planting on the go as it relates to student ministry. We are excited to launch a full-time student ministry at our Villages campus this August.
Life was easier with one site. But why do what is easy? I love being a part of a church that is thinking ahead and trying to be on the forefront of reaching people with the gospel. As I look ahead in 10 years, most churches will be moving to multi-site.
I'm learning a lot right now. I'm learning to be dependent on God's wisdom.
Stay tuned because I will be sharing more of this journey over the next few months on the blog!
If you are in multi-site student ministry and have some tips, I'm all ears! Share in the comments below.