Student Teaching

Intro

This is an exercise I do with students sometimes and we are going to try this together.

I think we often see students as the future of the church. I think there is something philosophically wrong with this line of thinking. Our Students are not the future of the church, they are the church today! When we begin to tell them that they are the future of the church, we begin to have a reserved bullpen mentality. When the Cubs were in the WS, they threw everyone they had. there was no waiting for tomorrow. The church can no longer wait for tomorrow. It is bad stewardship and anti-biblical.

I want to cast vision to the congregation this morning for our student ministry. If you will allow me, I would like to do more than that though. I would like to show you what happens up on that hill on wednesdays and throughout the rest of the week.

Joke about what a student minister “really” does.

Lets walk together and talk about 4 things our student ministry is founded upon and how we, as a church, can learn from them.

Teaching teens

Student Ministry is not a babysitters club. We do more than games and Pizza and it is our desire to see God’s people grow in the knowledge of His words.

Each Wednesday Night, we are teaching students sound Biblical doctrine and we never miss an opportunity to point them to Jesus. After all, He is the reason we are there. Parents, I make sure to send the notes to you every Wednesday so that you can see the topics we are covering and the truths that are being delivered. This is not just for your knowledge, but it is for you to engage and disciple your student with this and ask them the same hard questions that I am.

Why do we teach? and How can the Church learn from this?

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

First, We want to make complete followers of Christ. If all our students know is how to have fun at camp, eat pizza, and play dodgeball, I have failed them miserably. It is my desire for our students to be complete.

That ought to be the desire of every follower of Christ in this room. Who in here doesnt need teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness? We all do.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11  so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Second, we want to be teaching sound doctrine. We live in a world that says that theology no longer matters. All you have to do is love Jesus! Yea right. Listen to this.

Second, we should be teaching and creating a hunger for GOOD theology.

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Does that sound like God takes theology lightly? that was just one example of many. I believe it is so important to teach students proper theology, so that when they hear a gospel that is different, they will run as far as they can.

We need to be taking this stance as a church as well. We cannot just sit and let bad theology creep into the church. It is like an infection that can kill the whole body.

I am thankful for a man like Bryan that obediently preaches the Word of God every week. It doesnt matter if it tickles our ears or not, he preaches truth and protects his flock. (millstone)

Third we want to build a desire for the sweetness of God’s word.

Psalm 119:103 ESV

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Spurgeon once said, “It is a sign that you have grown in spiritual health when the Word of God is sweet to you.”

We have spoiled our appetites in the church on the world. I want to see students longing for the sweetness of God’s word. They may even be the only ones in their homes doing so. If this is the case, follow them and find the sweetness of God’s word in your life.

Reaching for the lost

This idea really is motivated by one verse and it should permeate EVERY ministry at Berean Bible Church.

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew

Evangelism and Discipleship are not enemies. We should never ask the question if one is more important than the other. To do so is to misunderstand what evangelism and discipleship are. It is a both and rather than an either or. Discipleship produces evangelism and evangelism produces discipleship.

We disciple students constantly in student ministry and I am always trying to find more ways to make them more complete in Christ. With that same breath, we preach the saving gospel message of Jesus EVERY wednesday. Why? because it is He alone that can save.

Reaching for the Lost means you step outside of this building.

It has been a dangerous thought for Christians for hundreds of years that the church was meant for these four walls surrounding us. Now I am not saying that important things do not take place in here, and we will be talking about that in the last point, but I am saying that we have to get out of this building in order to fulfill the commands God has given us. If you are a professional pew sitter, you are not following in obedience to Jesus Christ.

For students, it means we will go to the schools and the parks, and the ball fields. It means we are going to go to the darkest places in this city in order to see Jesus’ light shine the brightest. People we are reaching will not look like us.

Toothpick illustration

We cannot expect lost people to look or act like saved people.

I am so excited with all the things Berean Bible Church is doing in surrounding countries and in Knoxville, but i think we all agree that we can do more and work more diligently and pray harder that revival would take place in this city. Our students are doing this every week.

Students do not have many strangers and are always the boldest in going out. I hope we can learn from them and step out in faith and reach the lost.

Building an army

The two aforementioned points play a large role in this next one. Building an army is kind of cliche and catch phrasey but hat is exactly what we are doing.

While it is very important that we have fun and play games and plan events, the purpose for those things is not for fun. You can join the YMCA or your schools beta club for that. When some people see a dodgeball tournament, I see people that “hate”church, coming for the first time. When you see a retreat in the mountains, I see the body of Christ unifying with one purpose and seeking Jesus. When you see pizza and soda, I see hosting a feast for tax collectors and pharisees.

As a church, we have to focus our eyes and see things the way Jesus does. Every event and every relationship formed is about intentionality. Not to sound like a car salesman, because the Grace of Christ isnt something to be “sold”, but I want to do whatever I can to win the heart of teenagers so that they may see Christ in me. I believe Jesus does the same for me.

We are called to live in righteousness, and you should never abandon your convictions, but if we are goiung to build an army, we must be one. I do not want to be the judge, I will leave that up to God. I want to love people as they are and see the Holy Spirit lead them to repentance and turning to Him.

Student ministry is packed with fun and events. But i promise you there is a purpose behind every one of them. Intentionality is key. When Christ is moving there is pure joy and fellowship. Look what was taking place right after Pentecost.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This one also takes a lot of work

This is probably the most exhausting of all the points. Trust me on this one. I got back from ATL at midnight last night and I am preaching to you this morning. Events and relationships are exhausting.

It is exhausting when you are building a relationship with someone and they refuse to turn from their sin and turn to the greatness of Jesus. its exhausting to staying punching holes in name tags for camp until 3 in the morning and getting up at 6. Its exhausting working all day finally getting home and you get a phone call and someone is in need. But that is what it takes.

I have been exhausted my fair share of times in ministry. Youth ministry has some weird hours sometimes. But God has ALWAYS made it worth it. No this isn’t health wealth, but is standing on the promises of God.

Philippians 4:10–20 ESV

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:

Isaiah 40:28–31 ESV

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-

Praising Our God

All of these points have added up to what I believe is the glue to all of this. Prayer, worship, and offering is something that should take place in all believers. When should we stop praying, when should we stop worshiping, when should we stop offering. NEVER NEVER NEVER

Prayer

It is a huge desire for me to see students that live a life of prayer. We have been blessed with many prayer warriors in this church. I remember, when my dad was in between churches one time, I came to awana here as a kid and they went to prayer service. My parents said they prayed with John for over an hour. I thought to myself as a kid, that is an eternity. I see now how incredible that time must have been. I want to see our students grow in that. I want to see them lead out in their school and communities and families.

story about sharpening the axe

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4–9 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Offering

I want our students and church to give until it hurts. We can hit again today for that verse as well. God supplies all our needs and we should be giving out of the storehouse, because it is all his anyway. I watched my parents never miss a tithe growing up. That tought me a valuable lesson and I have never forgotten it.

Too many students have seen their parents put church and God in second in their finances and I know I have been guilty of this before as well. Give generously it’s worth it.

Worship

Coby leads our group with several other students in our youth group. They do a tremendous job and do not get a dime for it. They do it and we all put in extra hours because we want to see Christ magnified and glorified in our music every week.

Worship isnt only music, but it is certainly a large part of what we do. I want to see students take the truths of these songs and repeat them over and over and over again so that they never forget it. I want them to constantly stay in a mindset of worship.

Jim Cymbala says that the greatest defense against satan is a constant consciousness of God. WOW. What would our life look like if we constantly had our minds and hearts pointing at God. Constantly walking with the spirit and worshiping our creator. I believe our churches and our lives would look a whole lot different

Conclusion

It is my hope and prayer that you have learned from student ministry today and ultimately from the Lord. Whenever we run our lives through a Biblical checklist, we can always find ways to improve our walk with Christ. It is my prayer that we diligently seek the Lord for His grace and follow wherever He leads our student minstry and our church.

I want to spend some time in prayer as we close............

Galatians 6:6–9 ESV

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.