"PLANTING SEEDS" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 21: Ministry means being called to serve a person or people in a particular time and place. We are called to serve faithfully in THAT time and space.

There’s this great scene in one of Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth.

The scene is familiar—some of the people of that church are arguing about whose teaching they will follow. Some say it’s Paul, some a guy named Apollo, and others Peter.

Basically, these three have a different focus when it comes to following Jesus Christ. They are on the same team striving for the same things, but in different ways.

Paul responds with a beautiful question:

Has Christ been divided?

Was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in Paul’s name?

A couple of chapters later he asks, “After all, what is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants who helped you to believe. Each one had a role given to them by the Lord: I planted, Apollos watered, but God made you grow.”

What a poignant message for us, as ministers.

It’s tempting for us to get the idea that it’s all up to us.

I’ve even heard some ministers say that.

Someone’s life, their salvation, their entire eternal existence falls on your shoulders.

No, Paul says.

We have a role to play and it’s God who truly brings the growth, healing, and life.

Maybe our role is temporary.

For children and youth ministers, we know this better than most.

We plant seeds, like Paul.

Sometimes, though rarely, we get to see those seeds grow and mature.

Many times we do not.

We know what it is to trust God to continue to work in a person’s life long after they are no longer being watered by us.

Sometimes, we can see a person growing down the road through someone else’s ministry. That can hurt at times.

We wanted to be a part of what is happening in a person’s life.

Maybe we don’t quite agree with everything that young person is being taught later.

We would have done it differently.

It can haunt us.

But I encourage you to think like Paul.

Sometimes we plant and others water.

Sometimes others planted and we water.

We have our role and calling in a person’s life for a particular time and place.

That particular time and place is up to God.

Do the best you know how to do—even though chances are strong you’ll think much differently 10 years down the road than you do now.

Trust that you are where you need to be for others who have been placed in your care.

Trust that God is working through you and will continue to work through others for the sake of each and every blessed soul you nurture.

Remember that it is Jesus Christ who was crucified and it’s God who brings the growth through the Holy Spirit.

It’s not all on you.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

https://sundayschool.store/collections/the-sanford-curriculum

Message brought to you be Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum (Student ministry resources available on The Sunday School Store written by he and Lauren Sanford).

Music by The Muse Maker

https://ministry-to-children.com/best-childrens-bibles/

https://youthgroupministry.com/youth-group-lessons/

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