Teenagers have no greater—or scarier—mission field than their own schools.
Encourage your students to be a light for the gospel this school year by ramping up your efforts to train and equip them in the areas where they might be nervous to live for Jesus.
Here are three key reminders every Christian teenager needs to hear as school begins:
1. You have a mission to accomplish.
You’re not a student just because it’s important to go to school. As a Christian, school is your mission field. Every teenager-filled table in the cafeteria is a “field” waiting to be cared for and harvested. You have the good news that kids really need! Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). This cause applies to you as you seek to reach your friends and acquaintances with the gospel. It applies as you make more friends with the hope of introducing them to your best friend, Jesus Christ.
2. You’re not alone.
As you walk through the school doors, remember God’s words to you: ” ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Don’t be afraid of bullies or critics. Why? The King of kings is with you! The one who gives the bullies breath has your back as you walk through the hallways. So enter your school with a holy, humble confidence that Jesus is with you—because he is!
3. Do your best—forget the rest.
Tony Horton, the fitness guru who developed P90X, uses this mantra over and over in his workout routines to encourage exhausted athletes. He tells them to take a break from the exercises if necessary but to make sure they’re pushing to do their very best without losing form. The results are amazing! How do users get such great results? They do their best and forget the rest! You are the Lord’s representative at your school, so do your best and forget the rest. Remember that the ultimate “teacher” you’ll give an account to (just as I will) is Jesus, so “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
Why do your best to get the best grades possible? Because you’re serving the Lord!
As summer wraps up and students head back to school, help them see that the real mission trip is just beginning. Encourage them with the three crucial reminders above. Pray for them and help them brainstorm how they can reach their schools with the hope found only in Jesus.
And as a youth leader, remember to do your best. Forget the rest!