snow in washington

So this weekend, I had the privilege to work with Precept at one of their Youth conferences in Seattle Washington.  Yes, there was snow (which was quite a change from close to 90 degree weather in SoCal).  The weekend's theme was "You've got next" which is a call to the next generation to rise to the call of all believers as Priests.  The students were placed in classrooms where we introduced the inductive study method.  We went through different passages in the Bible that dealt with:

1. Who we are:

a. None are righteous(Romans 3:9-12)

b. As believers we are priests chosen to proclaim the excellencies of Him who saved us(1 Peter 2:4-12)

c. We are set apart and are to look different and act different! 

2. Identifying where God is working:

a. God reveals Himself through creation(Romans 1:18-26)

b.If they are seeking, then the Lord is working.  It is nothing of ourselves.  God is the One who calls men to Himself.

3. We have been given gifts

a. For God's glory

b. For the equipping of the saints for the work of service & the building up of the body of Christ(Ephesians 4:7-13)

c. Example of Moses-God giving(and preparing him)gifts of leadership.  Given by God for God's glory.  God was working while Moses was obeying God's commands every step of the way.

4. How to Live a Lifestyle of Service

a. The discipline of following Him Now(Mt. 4:18-25)

b. The discipline of dying to my own dreams and desires(Mt. 10:37-42/Luke 9:23)

c. The discipline of letting Him take the lead(Mt. 11:25-30)

d. The discipline of living it out in front of others(2 Thess. 3:6-15)

5. Living a Life Characterized by Love

a. Loving God and Your neighbor(Mt. 22:36-40/Jn. 13:34-35/Gal. 5:14)

b. Loving from the perfect love given by God(1 Jn. 4:7-21)

c. Loving your enemies(Mt. 5:43-48/Luke 6:27-36)

This weekend we all tried to help make practical applications for them.  We didn't want them to come to a conference just to hear (probably what they have already heard before) what they are supposed to do.  If they came and learned what they are to do, but then did not act upon it, then it was all in vain.  So, we tried to make them think about their gifts that the Lord has given them and how they could serve when they go back home.  We asked them about the different ministries they were involved in, sports teams, music groups, school activities...etc.  We also identified people in their lives who were hard to love and made practical application, so that when they go back home they can serve them in real ways in order to show the Love that they have received through their Savior, Jesus Christ.

It was such a great weekend.  My group was really great.  I had about 15 students.  One of the boys I had was autistic.  He was so precious and loved Jesus with all his heart.  He was absolutely brilliant!  He loved to talk though, and so in class I would ask a question and he would go on this wild tangent about Martin Luther (which all the other kids had NO clue who he was...they were all 8-10th grade) or Marxism, but he really did contribute to the discussion.  The other students really responded great to him.  The only thing I wish was different was me.  I wish I had more experience with that disability in order to really teach him the principles.  I wish I would have known how his brain worked a little better in order to help him more.  

I do have to say that it was one of the most mentally challenging things I have ever experienced.  We only had an hour for each session and it was already going to be hard to jam the whole lesson into that hour without any distractions.  So while he was talking, I was trying to really understand what he was trying to explain to me, and how it related to the topic we were talking about, while thinking about how to lead his thought back to the lesson, all the while trying to keep the rest of the group engaged in the discussion that seemed to be scattered everywhere.  

I do know why the Lord placed him in my group though.  Not only did the Lord prepare me in a way that I was really comfortable with (and have a heart for) people with disabilities, but also that the Lord wanted me to be dependent on Him (especially it being my first time to lead a small group).  The Lord wasn't going to let me think that I could lead a classroom without Him.  And let me tell you, I was constantly at the mercy of the Lord.  There wasn't a second that went by that I thought I could have done it on my own.  I was begging for the Lord to help and sustain me.  The Lord is awesome.  He didn't let me even entertain the idea of self sufficiency!  

This has really given me a spark to finish the school year out strong as well as excite me about this summer's internship.  I know that the Lord has me going there for a purpose and that end goal is for His glory.  I can't wait to keep updating this blog about all that the Lord will be doing!  

Well, finals are this week.  They start Thursday and will go until Tuesday of next week.  The Lord is good.  Please keep praying for the interns heart as we are preparing to go to Tennessee and that we would all finish our study on James (we will be doing a PUP study with the students at Boot Camp) before we arrive!