What Has it Meant?
For the first time in over 3 decades I don’t have “youth” in my title. I feel weird. Today I looked through hundreds of lessons I’ve taught and messages that I have preached. I began to reflect on what all of it has meant. Here are some thoughts I’d like to leave with you.
1. Every Student Matters so Much
Going through hundreds of files I saw names that I hadn’t seen in year and others from the 80’s that still show up regularly on my Facebook feed. I probably remember best and feel closest to that original group of 15 that I cared for in 1984. They ranged from 8 to 16 years old; so the oldest of them is about 50.
My heart still wants the same things for them. –That they would be close to Jesus and filled with joy. Some don’t go to church now and I still long for them to be a loving relationship with God.
2. Not Every Message is a Life or Death Matter (but teaching does matter!)
I gave up counting at 632 lessons and messages. Most of them were written in point form on half sheets of paper and the ones in the late nineties printed out from a computer. I agonized over many of them. As I looked through the topics. They ranged from the rapture (people used to teach about this) to “Are you really a Christian if you don’t share your faith with your friends!” Yes, there was a critical edge to my teaching in my early years!
As I looked at all of those half sheets, folded pages, and photocopies it became obvious to me that most of my students have probably forgotten every fact I ever shared with them. I still feel that most student ministries don’t do enough teaching to prepare students for the college years but now that they are in their 30’s and 40’s I pray they cling to the main things. What I hoped is that they still believe that the Bible is reliable, God loves them deeply, and they need Jesus desperately.
Another observation is that the study that went into making those hundreds of lessons changed me. They also prepared me to become a Bible College professor. When I had 15 students I was challenged by a friend to give them the same quality teaching as if I was preparing to speak to 100. Looking back, that discipline of preparing 3 or 4 messages/ lessons a week helped me to improve.
3. Serve Well & Finish Well
Of course, what matters most is how we treat students. Looking back I have to admit there are some I loved more than others. There are some who I let down. I hurt some because of my lack of maturity and other personal weaknesses. I tried to love all of my students equally but I failed with many.
I worked for 4 different churches in 12 years and I know that each time I left I hurt students who invested in a relationship with me. I know I shouldn’t but sometimes I wonder about what they think of me now. I tried to finish well and help students adjust. I don’t know how well that went.
Looking Back –Bad and Good
There is a danger in looking back too long or too often (especially when you’re driving!) Jesus said that it’s not good when you are plowing either. (Lk 9:62) There is value in taking stock of what’s important though; build on past successes and learn from past mistakes.
Genuinely care for students, help them to learn to depend on Jesus, give them skills for life, and when you’ve been in this world for over 30 years, hopefully you will feel content knowing you did the best with the gifts that God gave you.