The Unashamed Challenge

The apostle Paul said,   “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes”

This idea has been the major idea that has shaped the beginning of the fall for our student ministry – especially the High School Ministry.

We believe students should live unashamed about what they believe and that when they share the truth about who Jesus is it has power to change everything.

We believe that students can change their school, students can change their community, students can change the world.

We also believe that they can’t do any of that without you.

You set the example for your son or daughter.  You are someone that students look up to.  You are the primary influencer.  And as such we believe that its time for us (the adults) to set the example.

The truth is we spend too much time … hiding what we believe.  We miss God given, divine opportunities because we are too worried about being “politically correct” or what others think of us.

Unfortunately we spend too much time being ashamed of the gospel.

The heartbreaking thing is that - Jesus wasn’t ashamed of us.  He was willing to give everything so that you and I could truly know God. 

It’s time for things to change …

While the world will tells us to keep our faith to ourselves; in light of the Gospel, the only reasonable thing is the unashamedly share the truth and life that we have experienced in Jesus.  We should never be ashamed to share our faith.

We believe so strongly in this that we put a challenge out to our students.  Here is the “Unashamed Challenge”

Challenge:  We want to challenge students to make a short video – about their faith.  It can be about how Jesus has changed you.  It can be about how you love God.  It can be about how much you want others to know God’s love.

Whatever you do – make it about your faith – and what God has been doing in your life.  Then post it on your social media platforms with the hashtags:   #2econdFamily #Unashamed

That was the challenge … but now we want to extend the invitation to you the parent / the step parent / the grandparent / the adult.

Will you take the challenge?  Will you let the world know that you are unashamed?

Make sure you use the hashtags:  #Unsahmed  #2econdFamily

Let’s make it go viral – let’s let the whole world know – let’s continue the work that Paul was doing.  Let’s be unashamed

Keep Moving Forward

Let’s be honest … from time to time (or maybe all the time) we all struggle with forward motion.  It’s a scientific fact that an object at rest stays at rest.  It takes so much more energy, focus and determination to move forward than it does to just stay where you are.

Another truth I've come to learn, be it scientific or not – is that if you are standing still then you are actually losing ground.  An ancient Chinese proverb says this:  Do not be afraid of going slowly, be afraid of standing still.

When you quit moving forward in any area of your life – your health, your training, your skills or your spiritual life; you begin to lose the progress that you had made over time.

As we begin a new school year we have one message or concept for our Student Ministry family.  It’s for students, parents and volunteers as well – and the message is this:  Keep moving forward.

We believe in and lean on four core values for our ministry.  We also believe that all of us are at some point of the spectrum with in these four areas.  Our challenge to start the year is for each of us to look at what God’s been doing in and around us and ask the question: How do I keep moving forward?

The first core value is:  Connect

We live in a world that has become very disconnected despite technology.  However, God creates us to experience life together!  We believe the most important and powerful connections happen when we’re face- to-face.

So are you connected somewhere?  Do you have meaningful and powerful friendships?  Do you feel like you belong?  If not – then God is calling you to connect.

Our second core value is:  Grow

There are so many ways that we grow.  Even the scriptures reference how Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52).   Growth is key to the life that has been given to us.  We believe that the journey of faith takes time, and that intentional strategic growth is important. 

So if you are connected, then the next question is: Are you growing?  Are you growing in a group?  

Are you growing on your own?  Can you look back 6 months or a year and see the change that God has been working in you?  If not – then God is calling you during this season to focus on your own spiritual growth.

Our third core value is:  Serve

Ask anyone to look around our world and most would agree it is a broken place.  But it is not a place without hope; it is full of those who are willing to give their time, talents and energy to help those in need.  We believe that a changed life is a life that serves.  And we know that it is one thing to speak of the glories of the Lord; it is another thing to BE the glories of the Lord.  That is why we think it’s crucial to use what God has given us as a blessing to others.

If you are growing, have you discovered how you are shaped?  Does your heart break for the things that break God’s heart?  Do you find yourself giving up your wants and desires to help others find and follow God?  If not – then God is calling you to find a place to pour back in, to find a place to get your hands dirty and help others in need.

Finally our fourth core value is:  Share

We believe that as we connect, grow and serve that naturally leads to the willingness and desire to share with others what God has done.  Can you imagine what God can do through your story?  He gave it to you for a reason and wants you to use it to help other people find Him.

Do you find it hard to keep the amazing news about Jesus quiet?  Do you look for opportunities to tell the story about your changed life?  When people look at your life do they see the radical love and grace that Jesus offers?  If not – God is calling you to begin to share more confidently and openly about who He is and what He’s done.

The bottom line for each of us is to keep moving forward, even if it’s just a little bit at a time.  So what’s God calling you into, where is he stretching you and pulling you forward?  What’s next for you?

Keep moving forward, keep trusting God.

And more than anything else …. Don’t stand still.