4 Ways to Accept Students

Students are looking to belong in a culture of isolation. We are the hands and feet of Christ. In our student ministries, the last reason that students do not return is if they were not loved when they visit our ministries. Talking with my friend Matt in PA about a month ago helped give us ideas to welcome students.

4 Ways to Show Acceptance to Students:

-10 second rule: Every student should experience a physical touch or verbal touch within the first 10 seconds of arrival. The student should engage in some type of conversation with someone within the first 10 seconds of arrival.

-3 conversations: Every student should engage in conversations with at least three different people before he/she leaves.

-Don't Tell. Show: When a student asks you how to get connected, we want to make sure that you donʼt simply tell them but you take them to the appropriate person or place.

-No One Stands Alone: When we see students by themselves, we want to make a point to engage them relationally so they feel welcome.

Meeting students at their point of need with the gospel.

How are you welcoming and accepting students?

Source SM Recap: Volume #24

Current Series: “Awaken a Generation”Main Thought: Brokenness leads to being made whole in Christ.  The Word: Isaiah 6:5-7, 2 Corinthians 7:10

Message explanation: Have you ever had a moment in life that is so powerful, you respond? Maybe it was something done to you. A friendship ending. A parent who left. A struggle to fit in your class and you feel left out. Or maybe it is something done BY you. You have regret. You shouldn’t have hurt that person with your words.

Quick Review of last week: Isaiah was a messenger of God. Last week we talked about how the most important thing about us is how we think about God. Isaiah is standing in the throne room of God.

Isaiah 6:5 - “Then I said, “It’s all over!“I am doomed.”

 Teaching Point 1: Sin is what separates us from God.

Explanation of teaching point: When we are convicted of our sin, it leads to being in a right relationship with God if we respond in humility.

 ILL: Sin is sticky. It is just like this tape. It starts off sticky.  The more we sin, the more lint, dirt and germs it picks up. Sin is what rots away at us and separates us from God. The more we sin, the less we are able to notice we are sinning.

Notice further how Isaiah responded to God’s holiness. Isaiah 6:5a - “I have filthy lips,”

Why does Isaiah mention his lips or words? Our words reveal our heart.

Matthew 15:11 ^“It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

 Humiliation = The Enemy. Humility = God. The only way we can be a follower of Jesus is to be humble. We HAVE to admit we need a Savior.

Isaiah 6:5b - “and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs."

Before we can understand that the cross is for us, we have to realize it was something done by us.

 Isaiah 6:7 - “⁷ He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

 Teaching Point #2: God paid the cost for our sin.

2 Corinthians 7:10: “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”

Sin doesn’t have to define you: The world says, “You are a _______” because of the sin. Jesus says, “I can make you new, your sin does not have to define you.” God has come to put all things back together

Falling Plates Illustration Video:

Teaching Point #3: God’s love leads us to a response. We are sinful and broken. We need forgiveness and restoration through the relationship with Christ. God’s Story must become our story.

-      Creation: He created everything perfectly. (Genesis) -      The Fall: Man disobeyed and sin entered the world.  (Romans 3:23) -      Rescue: Jesus came on a rescue mission to save us (Romans 5:8, John 3:16) -      Restoration: Jesus is making all things new again and one day for eternity. (I am making all things new).

Element of Fun: We played a "Minute to win it" game with the middle schoolers called, "Hula Hoop Balloon Battle" where students had to keep 3 balloons in the air without touching the ground within a one minute countdown. They had to stand inside of the hula hoop the entire time or they would lose the game.

Music: Awaken Me, How He Loves, Psalm 24, Awakening, Your Presence is Heaven (closing).

 Favorite Moment: Seeing around 8 first time guests and new adult leaders joining to serve!

What’s Next: We finish our series "Awaken a Generation" as we discover how we are to respond to God's call!

3 Minute Devotional: 1 Corinthians 9:1-3

"Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? 2 Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. 3 This is my answer to those who question my authority." 

(9:1). The word for “ministering” means basically a compassionate love toward the needy within a Christian community. Paul states that his purpose in writing is concerning the ministering or providing for the saints. The Corinthians had been taking up offerings for poor believers. This noble practice had caused Paul to hold them up as examples of generosity. Paul writes to the “saints.” The word here used for saints means holy, set apart, consecrated, separated, sanctified or devoted to God. Paul states that it is a privilege for him to be able to write.

(9:2). In verse two Paul lets the Corinthians know that he has been using them as role models to the Macedonians. He encourages them by saying that he knows of their willingness or forwardness to give. Paul then goes onto tell them the results of their willingness that he describes as “zeal”. The results of this zeal had “provoked very many”. The context of this verse has to do with giving so we must logically assume that those who were “provoked” were influenced to give in like manner.

(9:3). The word Paul uses for “brethren” means brother or one who has a general camaraderie based on a common origin. Paul says here that he send some of the believers so that the Corinthians would not be caught off-guard when the Macedonians arrived. Paul realized the potentially disastrous situation that could result if the Corinthians were found to be unfaithful. The Macedonians had been repeatedly told that the Corinthians were the role models for giving. If when they arrived and found the Corinthians to be greedy, selfish and stingy it would have the potential to destroy Paul’s reputation to the Macedonians and cause them to stumble. Paul uses a word to describe what his lifting up of the Corinthians would be if they were found to be unfaithful. That word is “vain” which means empty or void.

Giving reveals our heart.

As Paul talks about the power of giving, what are areas of your life that God wants you to be more generous?

Our giving should set a Righteous example (9:1-2). Our giving should be substantial (9:2) Our giving should be willing (9:2).

We should be always Ready to give (9:3). We should be alert to opportunities to give (9:3).