Gerald Small was my small group leader when I was growing up. He was always a familiar face to me at church but somewhat daunting as a spiritual person. Because of his position as a youth minister I felt like he always had things down perfectly, was someone that I had to talk to like a teacher and not like a friend. When I found out that in 7th grade I was going to be in his small group I felt queasy because this spiritual pillar in the church and in my life was going to be hanging out with me. As the years went by and I got the chance to spend time with Gerald outside of Sunday school and weeknight meetings I found out that he wasn’t much different than me. He talked about his struggles as a Christian, and how he was able to learn from and overcome many of those tough times. I’m not sure if I would be where I am today without the faithfulness of Gerald to pass the truth of Christ to me.
I’m not sure if people look up to me the same way or not. Sometimes I wonder if it really was God’s will for me to come to Ozark. Maybe it was funny joke for my interviewer to recommend me here because I shot a traditional recurve bow and drove a truck. Who knows? But the one thing I do know is that I decided to pour into kids lives and be faithful no matter where I was going. I see and can testify to the impact Gerald Small had seeking out a feeble 7th grade nobody and spending time teaching the truths of Christ with that nobody. That nobody is now a somebody and is in turn doing the same thing with youth in Ozark. Gerald was able to pass the baton to me and then it was up to me to pass the baton to others wherever I went.
I wonder if Moses knew what he was passing on to Joshua when he was wandering in the desert? If Abraham knew what he was passing on when he prepared the sacrifice of his promised son? Did Joseph know what he was passing when his brothers saw his mercy after years of lying to their father about his death? I’m not sure if these spiritual leaders understood the future results of their momentary choices to follow the will of God instead of walking away from it, but maybe they did. What about you? How are you going to be passing on the love of Christ to those around you? What lasting memory will be left by the life you live? Were you faithful to the call of Christ or did you walk away from the challenge set forth from God?
As youth in Ozark come through the door here at K-Life I wonder if they realize the mission the Lord has set before them: to be faithful in a world full of distractions, set on a firm foundation and not on the sinking sand of the world, and to choose the path of most resistance knowing that even though there might be trouble God will be glorified. There is a challenge for youth in Ozark to be unique in a world of conformity. To stand alone, set apart for the will of God. Will you be like the founding fathers and those written about in the “Hall of Faith” (Hebrews 11) and be different than the world around you? What will be the legacy that you leave behind to those who will follow you? Choose to do the unexpected and take the path that leads to righteousness. Live for Christ daily and be a light to this world of darkness.
What will be your choice today? Will you choose faithfulness? Will you pass the baton?
Adam/Abraham:
Adam: Genesis 1-4, Romans 5:14, 1 Cor. 15:22
Abraham: Genesis 12-25, Romans 4:3-9; Hebrews 11:8-19
Sept. 15th JH & 17th SH
1. When was a time that was tough for you to see God’s will in your life? How did it turn out and why?
2. Think about a time when you felt like God wanted you to do something really difficult that didn’t seem to be what everyone else would do. How did it turn out?
3. Think about a time you disobeyed God and regretted it. What can you learn from that situation?
Joseph: Genesis 30-50, Hebrews 11:22
Sept. 22nd JH & 24th SH
1. Have you ever felt betrayed? Unloved? Unwanted? How did you treat the people who cause you to feel that way?
2. How have you been faithful in a difficult situation? (if not, how CAN you?) How have you seen God bless you through that?
3. Who has hurt you who you need to show mercy to and forgive? How can you show love to that person? How can you still be faithful even if they are unfaithful?
4. When is a time you were really tempted to do something wrong? What did you do? What can you do next time you are tempted? How can you flee the situation like Joseph in Genesis 39 even if it means leaving your “cloak” behind?
Moses: Exodus 2-3 called by God, Exodus 5-14 opposed Pharaoh, Exodus 20 Ten commandments, Matthew 17:3-4, Hebrews 11:23
Sept. 29th JH & Oct. 1st SH
1. What do you think your ministry is in Ozark? How do you think God wants to use you in your school? Do you think you are qualified for the task? If not, how will you become qualified for that task?
2. What can we do when we feel God has given us a task to do but we don’t feel able/prepared to do it? How can we still be faithful to what He called us to?
3. What can you do when you see someone being mistreated? How can you handle that situation better than Moses did?
