Ministry Lessons: Big Picture of Student Ministry
Today I’m sitting in Starbucks preparing to teach small group tomorrow night. Our scripture is Luke 15 (The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son – Prodigal Son). The perspective of the lesson is from the angle of the ones who react to the loss. We’ll also look at the importance of rejoicing over the what has been found. The conclusion of the lesson asks where students stand: are they in the crowd of rejoicing or actively looking for what was lost?
As I prepare for this lesson, my mind is wide open to the big picture. As I near the end of my 10th year serving in my current ministry, I can list several prodigals who were regulars in my small group during my time here. It’s not all bad news, though. I can list several who are on the right track. Some are even heading into ministry.
Each week as I reach into the hearts and minds of 12 small group students, I get to help them know Christ passionately. I’m both honored and challenged right now with this task. It’s easy to meet each week and have a great time with the hope that something stuck in their minds. However, in this moment (and actually for the last week), God’s been telling me it’s not enough. As a small group leader, I (we) need to look at the big picture as we teach.
Here are some questions floating around in my head on this topic:
- How am I challenging students to grow spiritually on their own?
- Who are they reaching out to for Christ?
- Do they need a nudge to serve in ministry or are they serving faithfully?
- Are we building genuine community in our group or are my students disconnected from each other on a deep level?
- Is our group honoring God together?
My goal is to build my students around these purposes in their lives and in our small group. I care about where they go when they leave my ministry. In this moment as I prepare for tomorrow night’s lesson, I feel the weight of the impact this ministry can have. Seeing the big picture of student ministry makes me plan more diligently what we accomplish through our time together, from the opening connect time, to the lesson and then closing challenge before they go back into their various worlds.
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