It's Wednesday morning, I'm meeting my 8th graders tonight, and I still am not sure what I want to talk with them about. Last semester they said they wanted to talk about how to deal with temptations. When I asked them what temptations they were facing, the response I got was,"You know, just temptation in general." Right.
So we each picked a verse on how to deal with temptation and memorized one verse each week. It went well. I sent weekly postcards reminding the guys about the verse and several of them took turns leading the group, which was something we'd never done before. It was great for me because I got to see how different each of them truly are. It was also our first dive into accountability as a group and at times it was messy, but it was good. Disagreements took place, but there was also growing.
And now I'm stuck. I know I probably only have from now until the end of May with these guys as a group and I want it to matter. I want them to enjoy coming to LIFE Group, but not just because they get to be with their friends. I want this group to prepare them for the challenges they'll be facing once they get into high school and beyond. (Wow, I kind of sound like Buzz Lightyear with that phrase.) I want them to grow in their love for Christ, each other and everyone else. Maybe that's a bit lofty of a goal for guys who don't shave yet. Or maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way. Even though the things I want for them are good, I need to be asking myself why I want these things to happen. Yes, it is so that God will be glorified, but unfortunately, in typing this entry I've realized that I also want to feel good about myself. I selfishly want to say, "I made a difference," when the truth is that I can't make a difference in the lives of these guys without trusting and believing that apart from God I can do nothing. Hmmm...this being humble business is a lot harder than I ever thought.
1 comment:
Hi! My name is Daniel Strubhar from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and I did a "next" from my blog (danielstrubhar.blogspot.com) and came to yours. I noticed you mentioned about temptation. There is SO much that could be said about that! Most people think temptation is sin, and don't understand that it is not the temptation that is sin, it is yielding that is sin! Jesus was tempted in all points like we are, it is written in Hebrews 4:15, but He never sinned. We can walk in His footsteps, who did no sin! To me, that makes the Christian life so simple.
Great to come across a website by someone who has an interest in spiritual things...
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