Heart Check!

Zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way. (Proverbs 9:2 NLT)

 The building of a healthy, happy and fruitful youth ministry takes time, patience and wisdom, it won't happen just because we decide that we want it to happen. This is probably the first lesson that we are going to learn trying to run the Youth Bus. One of the first things that as volunteers and workers, we have to get right, is our hearts. God knows what is in our hearts, do we? It is important when working with young people (or anyone for that matter) that we consider and examine our motives and hearts often. God honours pure motives, and if our motives are pure then this will lead to strengthening of our ministry. If our motives are right, then we are searching for God's guidance in our ministry, and God will be in the center of our decision making. This will lead to fruit. Our natural tendency is to try to take over situations, to control them, plan them well, colour situations with our perspectives and our ideas and considerations. This isn't completely wrong, but if done without prayer and seeking God's guidance we are working completely off of our own strengths, which are finite. Especially when it's cold.

 Below are some questions that you might like to consider, when considering your hearts position and your dependence on God:
 1.Why is dependence on God important for the leaders and volunteers involved in the Youth Bus ministry?      How will it affect our Ministry?

 2.Do you find it easier to do? and work through actions? Instead of being? What does this mean to you?

 3. Is your life busy? What three areas take up most of your time? What is the greatest barrier you face that keeps you from spending time with God?

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NTL)

      For the next three weeks on the Bus, our talks are going to revolve around Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.

 Last week when this passage was considered with the young people, they didn't know the deeper meanings of the key words of the passage. So this week we are talking about Justice, next week about Mercy or Kindness and the third week about Humility. So take some time to think about what Justice means to you, and see if you can start some discussions about it.

 God Bless and hope the rest of the week remains Sunny.
 Ems