Called and equipped to disciple
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
"I just haven't felt like a very good quiz coach this year. I took those four weeks off that I so desperately needed, but I'm challenged in the material. Acts is a difficult book of the Bible to follow with all the details and I am struggling. I feel like I'm falling short for our kids and I can't help but tell myself that I'm not a great children's pastor." This was the conversation I had with my mom Sunday night before our quiz practice. I was discouraged. It is a desire of my heart to minister to kids well, to disciple them and to help them grow in the Word. It was breaking my heart to feel like I wasn't doing this well.
In the middle of our lesson (Acts 18:18-24), I explained to the kids why it’s so important that Apollos learns the Scriptures accurately. It’s proven just a few verses down when people argue with him over what it says. Apollos only knows about the baptism of John and not the baptism of Jesus - his death and resurrection. Priscilla and Aquila teach him the gospel side of scripture so he can know it and proclaim it accurately. I told the kids that we have to know the Word so when the world fights us on it, we have it memorized as a weapon to defend what we believe. Macy chimed in, “Well, we don’t really memorize it.” I replied, “Every time Miss Molly teaches you a new memory verse, that’s memorizing scripture.” The next thing she does is recites a verse from earlier this quiz season. Then Lucy recites a different one. Then Titus does one from last year. Then Leighton does one from two years ago. I sat back and listened to the Word that's been hidden in their hearts come forward and prove why we do what we do in this ministry. These kids will always know that the Lord is with them wherever they go (Joshua 1:9), that the Spirit helps them bear witness to God (Acts 5:32), that they are called to shine their light so others will know the Father (Matthew 5:16), that Jesus died for their sins and if they believe they will live forever with Him (John 3:16).
I ended the quiz practice with peace and encouragement in my heart, telling my mom, "I am a good children's pastor. This is proof."
In the same quiz lesson, the Lord speaks to Paul and encourages his heart by speaking on perseverance. He says, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you." As you start the new year and navigate how God is calling you to disciple others, I want to encourage your heart. Do not be discouraged. If you start to wonder whether or not you can really make a difference, if you find it challenging to navigate schedules, if you wonder if you're really equipped to help others grow in their relationship with the Lord, I can assure you, God is with you. He has called you and He will equip you.
