‘Dear Student’ is a series of posts that are directly aimed at today’s teenagers. I am a youth pastor and am able to speak into our students’ lives constantly. But these posts are different. This series of posts are intentional, directed pleas to the next generation, based on some specific convictions about the unknown dangers that lie ahead. My tone is meant to be strong. My intention is to invest in you.
I’ve been involved in youth ministry for around 10 years now. I’ve talked with countless students and heard a ton of stories. I set out to do youth ministry because I wanted to help students through their middle and high school years; to help them see Jesus, to give them advice, and to help them make wise choices. I’ve seen a lot of students make very wise decisions. Sadly, though, for every student that makes a lifestyle out of wise decisions, countless others don’t.
Month in and month out, I see students trade what’s inexpressibly God for what’s mediocre. And with each trade-off, a life is changed for the worse.
But I believe with everything inside of me that there’s hope.
Dear Student:
You will never realize the potential you have in the Kingdom of God if you don’t take your eyes off your own circumstances and gaze at God regularly.
Your potential in the Kingdom of God is no less than the power that the apostles exhibited!
You are a Kingdom-shaker!
You are God’s creation!
You are the temple of the Holy Spirit!
But you can’t make a difference?
Your generation is being called the next great generation. Why? Because you can’t do it? No. Because you’re following up the preceding generations with a demand for more.
There’s more in you!
Stand on the shoulders of the generation over you!
Do greater things than we ever imagined!
For the love of everything holy, stop belittling yourself!
You’ve got Kingdom Greatness in you!
