Growth in Christ

What do you hope to get out of Summer Staff?

Do you find that to be a funny question? Is there a part inside of you that gets a little uncomfortable at that question? Is there an idealist inside of you that says, “It doesn’t matter what I get out of it! I’m here to serve.”?

I tend to think that those thoughts are selfish. We don’t get into this to gain things for ourselves. We get into this to empty ourselves out and serve, right?

Well, yes and no. It’s very true. This month is not about you. Hear that. These weeks in August are not about you. This assignment is about serving Jesus and setting the table for hundreds of middle school students to hear about Him.

I have often been told “God is more interested in what He is doing in you than what He is through you.” Do you believe that? Do you believe that God is more interested in the work going on inside of you than the work you are doing.

The tiny postcard that Paul wrote Philemon in the New Testament reinforces this. Paul tells Philemon “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that ________”

How would you fill in the blank? What would you answer this with?

“So that many kids will meet Christ”

“So that the Gospel will expand”

“So that the world could be a better place”

Paul’s answer is surprising. He says, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

So that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. The sharing of the Gospel results in a fuller and greater understanding of Christ.

We want you to grow in Christ this August. We hope that you leave a different person than you came. We hope that this time stretches you and teaches you in a way you never have been.

What do you hope to get out of your time on Summer Staff? Chime in. How we be preparing to help you grow in Christ?