Titus and Teaching
Last night at Bible study we started a series on the book of Titus.I have Bible study with the group of people I lead at our youth group with, so the words of Paul to Titus speak strongly to us. Why? Because like all leaders in the church, we have been entrusted with God's work.
God has been good enough to let us in on the amazing work of bringing others to know and love Him and to live lives worthy of that calling!
And this is what Paul says is the only way to carry out this task...
"Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless - not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to much wine, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."
hmm...how do you hold up to that description?
I expect for each of us sitting on our comfy little couches in our leaders warm and welcoming house amongst good friends, these words spoke to us slightly differently, each with our own thing to work on. I know what they said to me. What do they say to you?
What a list - or rather, a life - to strive for!
My favourite part of that passage was the words "one who loves what is good". Surely, if we are loving what is good how can the bad be given a door into our actions and attitudes?!
The words "hold firmly to the trustworthy message" and "by sound doctrine" also made me think.
I certainly hope this is what I (and my fellow leaders) are holding to each week as we come to teach these kids!
But it made me think about how we package this message.
On friday evening I had a conversation with a man from another church in sydney. A man who's kids go to youth group at his church, but knowing that there are 'bigger and better' youth groups out there they often want to visit the other for a week or two. What do we do with that? The group is small and possibly not meeting the needs of the boy who is the only one of his age in the group. But what about what the boy can give to the group? What about the discouragement that comes to the leaders and fellow members of the group when they are one member down? Or rather, the encouragement when he chooses to join them rather than have a possibly more enjoyable night with more mates at the other group?
One of the constant challenges of running a youth group is meeting these kids where they're at. Attracting kids and keeping them committed and interested.
There is a certain amount of responsibility of the kid's behalf - yes, they gotta invite their friends, yes, they gotta persist when times get tough. Then of course, these kids are putting their reputations on the line when they ask their friends along, so we as leaders gotta make sure it is worth it too, right?
But all this, ALL this, is totally and utterly pointless if we are not teaching sound doctrine; if we become so concerned with how to entertain, attract, keep these kids that the truth we are there to teach becomes secondary to our purpose (or at least appears that way in the reason and way the kids are responding).
I say it is a constant struggle to find this balance. But balance is key, cos we cannot lose sight of why we are there. We have been entrusted with God's work. This is why Paul commands us to be above reproach in all areas of our lives - the kids are learning from us, they are watching, they are copying - but above all they are learning a message of truth - one we must not compromise!
If you are a leader in your church please think about how you are going with these things Pauls raises.
And if you are at all the praying kind, please pray that at CCSI we will be faithful in our teaching!
Also, If you are involved in youth ministry at your church and have a specific prayer point in need of bringing before our loving and merciful Father, please feel free to leave these in the comments, Id love to pray for you!
God bless,
CJG
