Thanksgiving is a natural time for us to eat a bunch of food, watch TV, and gather with family and friends. In between helpings of mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, we have a great opportunity to recount how God has provided for our needs, encouraged us with His presence, and given us opportunities to grow and experience Him in a deeper way.
As youth workers, we can also use this season to reflect on and be grateful for what God has blessed us with in our ministries and among our students. Depending on your context, perhaps this comes easily—or maybe it’s more of a challenge. Here are a few reasons why I am grateful for students:
I’m grateful for their potential.
As I look throughout Scripture, I’m reminded how God has used students in the past to advance the Gospel and impact those around them. A few examples:
- The 12 disciples: Based on Matthew 17:24-27, cross-referenced with Exodus 30:14, we can conclude that all the disciples except for Peter were under the age of 20 when Jesus called them to follow Him. Jesus led a wild and misfit group of students! (Can I get a witness?) But at the same time, He looked past their oddities and issues and saw their potential to turn the world upside down for the Kingdom.
- David: the youngest of Jesse’s sons, and a mere shepherd boy who was overlooked by his older brothers. Yet, he was chosen and anointed by God, defeated a giant, and later ignited a revolution against the Philistines and became the leader of Israel.
- Esther: a young queen, who, at the risk of her own possible death, chose to step up amid uncertainty and step out in obedience to God. Her faithfulness saved the Jewish people from persecution and extinction!
Throughout Scripture, it’s clear that despite students’ lowly status, awkwardness, and even rebelliousness, God sees their potential and chooses to use them for His glory.
Growth questions: Do you see the potential of how God may use your students? Pray for God to use them in great and mighty ways for Gospel Advancing purposes.
I’m grateful for their passion.
Students are passionate about many things—getting the latest pair of shoes, taking pictures for social media, relationships with their friends, and the like. Their passion is clearly evident, and even encouraged, by others.
Although I’m grateful for the many things students are passionate about, seeing their zeal and passion for the Gospel and the greatest Cause ever tops the list. Specifically, I think of:
- Students who persistently—and yes, passionately—petitioned for regular Go Share Days in our ministry.
- Students who willingly committed to preparing, planning, and teaching a four-week series on Prayer – Care – Share – Dare for middle and high school groups, inspired by their experience at Lead THE Cause the previous summer.
- Students who actively led Pause for the Cause times during youth group each week, creating space for their peers to share stories of Gospel encounters and then leading the group in prayer for those friends.
These and other examples remind me that students are filled with spiritual passion. And when we as youth workers invite them to embrace the mission God has given them—to go and make disciples who make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)—that passion gets activated into Kingdom-minded action, which ultimately leads to eternal impact!
Growth questions: How have you seen your students express their passion? How could you invite them to embrace the mission God has given them and mobilize them to advance the Kingdom in your community?
I’m grateful for their pursuit of Jesus.
In today’s culture, we see students commit to being “all-in” on many things. These could include pursuing a higher level of academic achievement, mastering that jump shot, or striving hard to get first chair in the school orchestra. They unapologetically apply all of their focus, strength, energy, and abilities toward achieving these goals.
Although these pursuits are honorable and have their place, Jesus invites and calls His followers to a much higher calling and pursuit: to be all-in for Him. Jesus says:
‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the Gospel will save it.’ Mark 8:34-35
I’m grateful for how I see students commit to being all-in as they pursue Jesus, whether that’s during times of corporate worship, in passionate prayer, or by re-evaluating their daily commitments. I recently heard a student say: “I want to say no to the good things so I can say yes to the great things that God desires from me.”
I’m grateful for the number of students who decided to “play to win” at Dare 2 Share LIVE this year, boldly pursuing Gospel conversations with friends. Many now see themselves as “sent,” so that the Gospel can reach every student, everywhere. It’s a privilege to witness students rising up to pursue Jesus and His Cause!
Growth questions: What’s holding your students back from pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly? What’s one way you can encourage them to be all-in for Christ and His Cause?
As youth workers, we often experience moments of discouragement and difficulty as we serve our students. But even during these times, be grateful for the hope and encouragement we have in knowing that God has used and will continue to use students to impact the world with the Gospel.
After all, we believe students have the potential and the passion, and we’re seeing them pursue Jesus in a way that’s leading to Gospel transformation around the world. Let’s celebrate and give thanks to God!
