Cru Weekly Ministry Tip, Spring 2012, #12
Last week we looked at the Message that we preach to others. This week we want to look at the Messenger.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,29 so that no man may boast before God.30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” (NASB)
In this passage we notice that the apostle Paul shares that the church was not of a higher intellectual standing or status in the society they lived in. This characteristic has been true of the church throughout history. In the Old Testament, God chose people who were not very desirable to help play a major role in accomplishing His will. David was just a lowly shepherd boy that God chose to defeat Goliath and the enemies of Israel. God used Ruth to minister to Naomi and stand by her side even when there was little hope. Ruth, who was a gentile woman, became part of the messianic line.
In the New Testament, God chose fishermen, a tax collector and a woman at the well. The apostle Paul chose a young disciple called Timothy, and many other regular people that had little or no status in the culture of the day. There were times where God did choose to use extraordinary people for His purposes on earth, but generally He chooses the simple, the humble, and the lowly of this world to accomplish His work and will.
The truth is, God wants to use us to do great things for His kingdom. As ordinary people, we are considered by the world perhaps as not being wise, noble or mighty. God, in the eyes of the world, describes us as foolish things, weak, base and despised. But therein lies God’s plan to show His tremendous power. We are not to take glory to ourselves, that belongs to God “29 so that no man may boast before God.” But we are also armed with the gospel, which is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Our lives are to glorify Him and to let Him use, us as ordinary people to do extraordinary things for Him. Our personal question is, “God, how do you want to use me to accomplish your will in my ministry location?”
Plan for the Fall
Now is a very important time to plan for your Fall Semester. Here are some key things to think about and ask yourselves:
1. Do we have our leadership team challenged and solidified for the fall?
2. Do we need to do anything to be sure our status as a club on campus stays current?
3. Have we planned for the critical first week of classes, to do a lunch-line questionnaire or any other plan so that you can meet as many new people as possible and find their interest level? This is the best week of the entire year to do this, don’t miss out.
4. Do we have plans for extensive advertisement all over campus to let students know where they can find us?
5. Have we thought about a fun party/barbeque/volleyball at the end of the first week to gather interested people and build relationships?
6. Have you planned for your first weekly meeting, the location, time, day, and material you will cover?
7. Do you have a plan to train everyone in the “Knowing God Personally” booklet? Everyone needs to know how to follow-up on new people and invite them to your meetings.
8. Have you collected everyone’s cell/email/Facebook so you can stay in touch with them over the summer?
These are some thoughts to help you as you plan for your fall. You want to end your spring term well but you want to start out your fall semester very strong. Your first week of classes is the most important week of the entire year. Check out a plan for your first 6 weeks on campus. Check out this link for some other great ideas. Let God use you in a powerful way this fall, using your gifts and talents to expand His kingdom.
Talk to you next week,
Ben Rivera/CruPressGreen Team