This week I am in charge of a breakout group post worship and Bible study, and just after my first night doing this I already love the role. I have been an assistant leader before, but never been a leader myself, and I have been blessed with an amazing group of boys who really love the Lord. They are all 12-14 years old and super talkative, which helps a lot when you are in a breakout group. While most of them have been engaged with the questions, they are teenage boys (which so I am technically) so naturally its easy to go of the rails. Yet, this is partially the reason I love leading the group. They have thoughts and struggles that I have had and are attempting to apply the word that is being taught in the bible study’s. Last night we talked about the verse in Matthew, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We had a lively discussion about things that we love doing and then talking about where that lies on our priority list.
As we move abroad, there will inevitably be times where I am put in a situation where I have the opportunity to encourage some teenage boy about things that he is struggling with or questions that he has. Whether that is in a breakout group, or just a normal conversation at a service project, it is my responsibility to pour into the youth that I am serving. They are this next generation coming up, eager to serve, and hungry to learn God’s word. I am so thankful for this experience now, developing in my ability to articulate God’s word and encourage the youth I am serving. Not only am I serving now, but it is practice for when we go abroad to exemplify God’s image, being that royal priesthood for the next generation to see!