Category Archives: Student Ministry

Jan 21

Stop Talking About It!

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This past weekend over 1,600 people from across the southeast attended an annual event in Savannah, TN known as Evangelism University, including 21 of us from Karns. This is always one of our group’s favorite events of the year. EU is a weekend devoted to training high school students to be more evangelistic among their peers.

Students are typically given a booklet to take home and study with a friend. Over the course of the weekend, the students are led through the course themselves so they will better understand how to teach the material to their friends who have never obeyed the Gospel plan of Salvation.

On Saturday night I got to thinking about what it would look like if everyone in attendance made just one disciple for Jesus this year. What an incredible impact such an action would have on the Lord’s Kingdom. Unfortunately, some of us who attended will choose to let multiple opportunities pass us by this year for one reason or another.

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20a).

Jesus has commissioned us to go into the world and make disciples. Notice this is not a suggestion for us to follow but rather a command for us to obey. What if all 1,600 who attended EU this year went back home and made one disciple for Christ? Just imagine the impact. Now, let’s not stop there. Imagine if each of you reading this made at least one disciple for Christ this year. How incredible would this be?

When are we, who claim to be disciples of Jesus, going to stop talking about being disciples and start acting like disciples? Jesus commanded us to GO, MAKE DISCIPLES and TEACH. What are we waiting for? There’s no better time than now. Jesus promised, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).

Let’s stop talking about making disciples for Christ and actually start making disciples. Why not make this the year we lead at least one lost soul to Jesus. Just imagine the impact!

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Jan 10

The CHALLENGE

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The ChallengeThis year our Student Ministry program at Karns has decided to take a challenge to help make 2013 the best year it can be. The challenge that has been placed before our students, as well as some of the parents, is to allow God to work in and through us to mold us into the image of His son.

As children of God, our desire should be to walk, talk and represent Christ in the same way He would if He still walked the earth today. We want our level of discipleship to deepen to the point our family, friends and neighbors notice we are different people. Our desire is for others to see the image of Jesus in our lives.

In order for this to be accomplished, our students are going to try and do things they have never done before. Thomas Jefferson said, “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” This is what we are going to do in 2013. This year we are accepting the challenge to be who God has called us to be, both in and out of the church building.

Last night each student was given details of this challenge. After going over what the challenge consisted of, each student spent a few minutes in prayer and then decided whether or not they wanted to participate. I explained by accepting the challenge each student would be accountable to the others. We are going to have one another’s backs throughout this challenge. I am thrilled to say every student prayerfully considered and decided to accept the challenge.

Here are a just a few things our challenge will consist of…

  1.  Participate in monthly service projects (both as a group and as an individual).
  2.  Send an encouraging text, Facebook message, Tweet, email or card to someone each week.
  3. Find one or two people to pour your heart into and work to help them find a relationship with Jesus.
  4. Pick one of the other students and help mentor them (HS students help mentor MS students, MS students help mentor the elementary students).
  5. Participate in the big project we will be undertaking in the fall. I’m pumped about this.
  6. Read through the New Testament in 90 days and keep a notebook. We are participating in this together as a group. Our readings start today. I’ve even had some parents ask if they could be included in this part of our challenge. I truly believe this experience will be a blessing in the lives of all the participants.
  7. Allow God to work in and through your life to deepen your relationship with Jesus and to bless those around you.

I am super excited to see what God will do in our lives through this challenge. Each student understands the impact participating in this challenge could have. My prayer is that the impact will be far greater than anything even I have dreamed of.

Please take a moment and pray for all the students and parents who have accepted this challenge. Ask God to do incredible things in the lives of all those who are participating so their relationship with Jesus is deepened.

What are you doing this year to deepen your relationship with God? I’d love to hear from you on this. Leave your comments below.

 

 

 

 

Mar 15

The Karns’ Student Ministry

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Karns has a fantastic Student Ministry (Grades 6th – 12th) that I personally feel is blessed. It has nothing to do with me or what I do, but it has everything to do with the others who are involved in this ministry. If you will bear with me, I would like to give you a few reasons why I believed the Student Ministry at Karns is blessed.

  1. Great Students. I have worked with 4 different student ministries in the past, and this group of students is by far the most spiritually mature. First, this group has a deep love for the Lord. Second, they want to know what the Bible teaches. Our students truly care about studying God’s Word. They don’t want to have their time wasted with powder puff lessons; they want the MEAT of the Word! Third, this group genuinely loves and cares for one another.
  2. Wonderful Parents. Karns is blessed with parents who believe in investing in the spiritual lives of their children, and this investment is making a difference for our students (Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6).
  3. Tremendous Volunteers. In order for a Student Ministry to be successful, people, time and energy are required. Miranda and I could never do this alone and accomplish everything that needs to be accomplished. We have so many members, both parents and non-parents alike, who are generous with their time and volunteer in order to make a difference in the lives of our students.
  4. Best Eldership. I am blessed to work under a group of men who truly believe in Student Ministry. Our elders see student ministry for what it is… an investment into the eternal well-being of our students. They understand Student Ministry is not a glorified babysitting gig. From day one, they have reassured me of their belief in what we are doing. This is evident from their support of the Student Ministry: volunteering, chaperoning, hosting devotionals, teaching, and just interacting with the students. I wouldn’t trade the Karns’ eldership for any other in the brotherhood!  

What a blessing it is to be involved in the Karns’ Student Ministry! I thank God for this wonderful opportunity every day.

Now that’s Something to Think About!