Do you want to become more like Jesus in 2019? Do you really?
In our better moments, we answer this question with a resounding “Yes!” After all, who wouldn’t want to be like Jesus? He fed the hungry, healed the sick, passed out good advice, knew how to gather a crowd, walked on water and did all sorts of amazing stuff.
These are all essentials skills for a youth leader.
But for us to be like Jesus—to really be like Jesus in the coming year—we need to look beyond all the cool things Jesus did and get a feel for what motivated Him to do what He did. What made His heart burn and break?
In order to be like Jesus, to really be like Him, we must join His search and rescue mission for the lost. His cause of seeking and saving the lost is THE Cause that should capture our passion and focus our lives. Share on X
The best place to search for the answer to this question is to pour over Jesus’ life in the Gospels. When we do, we find that the central essence of what motivated Jesus was His love—His heart—for lost people.
You see, while Jesus walked this earth He was on a desperate search and rescue mission for the lost. It’s clear from His words in Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost,” that this was the passion and focus of His life—it was His cause. And the amazing thing is that Jesus has called us to this same cause. Right before He ascended into Heaven He commanded us to “go and make disciples” in Matthew 28:19. This means that in order to be like Jesus, to really be like Him, we must join His search and rescue mission for the lost. His cause of seeking and saving the lost is THE Cause that should capture our passion and focus our lives.
What Drove Jesus Should Drive Us
Do you remember Jesus words when He began calling His very first disciples? “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people! (Matthew 4:19).” To be a Jesus follower we must actively be about the business of pulling others out of the water and into Jesus’ boat, so they too, can experience a with-God life.
When you really think about it, nothing else in this world compares to sharing His message of hope and life! It’s the most important message on the planet, and Jesus has entrusted it to you and me—and to all the students in your youth ministries who profess to be Christians! As believers, each of us has been given the privilege of passing His message on by reaching out to those in our circle of influence with His good news of love, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life.
Try This! ❯
Spend time this week prayerfully considering whether you really want to become more like Jesus in 2019. If you do, pick one Gospel Advancing “Best Practice” to implement in January.
In fact, sharing Jesus’ message with others has more potential to impact lives than anything else we humans can ever possibly do. Sharing Jesus with someone can their life more a winning lottery ticket. It carries more punch than giving away a million dollars to a worthy cause. It’s more world-transforming than finding the cure to cancer. Why? Because sharing Jesus with those who don’t know Him can change someone’s life at the deepest level—both now and for all eternity. And nothing else we could ever be involved in is more significant than that!
How to Get Started
For practical hands-on youth ministry ideas that will help you increasingly prioritize evangelism in your youth ministry in 2019, check out Dare 2 Share’s free Gospel Advancing “Best Practice” PDF download. Here’s a brief sampling of just a few ideas to get you started…
- Prayer reminder – Keep an empty chair in the youth room as a reminder to pray for unreached teenagers that need Jesus.
- Life in 6 Words app – Have your students download the Life in 6 Words app and use it share the gospel with a friend.
- Role play – Have your teenagers practice how to have a gospel conversation with someone who doesn’t know Jesus.
- Share it…every time – Create a gospel segue in every talk (and then give the gospel)!
Advancing the Gospel both in and through our students is what our lives and ministries should be all about in 2019!
Because what drove Jesus should drive everything.