RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Do you want to see God do more in your ministry?  Do you want your best days of ministry to be ahead of you rather than behind you?  Do you long to see God do something fresh and new in your life and ministry?

I'm believing that for you.  And I've got some good news.  God wants to do more in your life and ministry.

The apostle Paul was writing to the church of Ephesus.  They had seen God do amazing things in the ministry there.  People had come to Christ.  People had been healed.  People had turned from the many false gods that were ingrained in their culture.  But there was so much more that God was ready to do in them and through them.

Paul writes to tell them this.

"Now glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely MORE than we might ask or think."   Ephesians 3:20

In this verse, are 4 keys to seeing God do more in your ministry.  Let's look at the first one.

"Now glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work WITHIN US, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."   Ephesians 3:20

Key #1 -  If we are going to see God do more through our ministry, we first have to ask God to do more WITHIN US.  Elisha is a great example of this.  God had done amazing things through his predecessor, Elijah.  And now He was preparing Elisha to do even more.  But first, Elisha had to let God do more within him.

God asked Elisha to surrender to His will.  Look what happened as recorded in 1 Kings.

"Elijah went over to him (Elisha) and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away.  Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, 'First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!'"

God was preparing Elisha to do more.  But first He wanted to see if Elisha was willing to surrender everything to Him.  Would He be willing to walk away from his current life?  Would He be willing to let go of his plans and follow God's plans?

If we are going to see God do more through our ministry, we must be willing to say more than "I surrender some."  We must be willing to say "I surrender all."

God also wanted to see if Elisha would be willing to sacrifice everything to see more.  Here's what happened.

"Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them.  He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh.  He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate.  Then he went with Elijah."

Elisha was willing to go all in.  He surrendered his oxen and plow.  This was his livelihood.  He was sacrificing everything.  No turning back.

If we are going to see God do more within us, we must be willing to hold everything with open hands and sacrifice it all for the sake of the cross.

Finally, Elisha had to be willing to serve.  Look what happened.

"Then he (Elisha) set out to follow Elijah and become his servant."

Notice that before Elisha was entrusted with more, he had to first be willing to serve.  We must be willing to serve others.  Put others before ourselves.  Let go of our ego and replace it with "we go."

Jesus modeled this by washing the disciples' feet.  This act of service was reserved for the lowest servants in the kingdom.  Jesus was showing us that we must be willing to have the heart of a servant, if we want to see God do great things.  The way up is down.  Servant leadership.  It sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it?  But it's the way to see God do more within you.

Because Elisha was willing to surrender, sacrifice and serve, He saw God do more.  Elijah saw God do 14 miracles through his ministry.  Elisha saw God do 28 miracles through his ministry.

Key #2 -  If we are going to see God do more through our ministry, we must have more POWER.

"Now glory to God, who is able, through His mighty POWER at work, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."   Ephesians 3:20

The bad news is you and I can't change anyone's life.  The bad news is we cannot do more in our own strength and power.

The good news?  The Holy Spirit can do more through us.

His power is able to change people's lives.  His power is able to save marriages.  His power is able to heal.

And this power is available to you.  Check out Acts 1:8.

"But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, through Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth."

And Luke 24:49.

"Behold, I send you the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with POWER from on high."

God loves to fill ordinary people with His power and do extraordinary things through them.  How do you see more of His power working through you?

Acknowledge that nothing of eternal value happens without the Holy Spirit.  Zechariah 4:6-7 says, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint you.  Luke 11:13 says, "If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."

Accept by faith that the Holy Spirit is at work.  I Thessalonians 1:5 says, "For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true."

When you take these steps, you will see the Holy Spirit power more at work in your ministry.

Key #3 - If we are going to see God do more in our ministry, then we must have more PRAYER.

"Now glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work , to accomplish infinitely more than we might ASK or think."

Ephesians 3:20

Prayer is the door that opens us to more.

In Mark 9, the disciples tried to cast out a demonic spirit who was tormenting a young boy.  But they were not able to cast the demon out.  Jesus had to step in and overcome the demon.  Afterwards they asked Him why they couldn't cast out the demon. 

Jesus said, "This kind doesn't come out without prayer and fasting."

If you want to see big miracles, then you've got to pray more.

If you want to see God use you more, then you've got to pray more.

If you want to see your ministry go the next level, then you've got to prayer more.

This kind...this "more" kind...only happens with more prayer.

Key #4 - If we are going to see God do more in our ministry, then we must have more VISION.

"Now glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work , to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or THINK."   Ephesians 3:20 

Have you grown complacent?

Have you stopped dreaming about more?

Has your vision waned?

Have you given up on your vision because others said it was impossible?

Joseph is a great example of having a vision for more.  He had a vision from God as a young man.

Now when you have a big vision for more, you will be misunderstood.  Joseph's brothers and parents questioned his motives. 

When you have a big vision for more, realize that you will also face opposition.  Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, put in a well, sold as a slave, lied about by his boss's wife and was thrown into prison.  But none of that stopped him.  He didn't give up on the vision in the face of opposition.

Have you given up on your vision for more?  Have you faced setbacks and detours?  Don't quit.  Keep pursuing your vision for more.

Why?

Because when you pursue a vision for more, God is with you.  In the well, in the chain gang, in the prison, God was with Joseph. 

Remember the vision you have tucked away?  Get it back out.  God hasn't forgotten you or your vision.  He is with you. 

Stop listening to the voices in your head that say you can't do it.  Stop listening to the voices around you that say you can't see your vision fulfilled.  If the vision is from God, it can happen.

Not satisfied where your ministry is now?  Longing to see God do more?  Ready to move forward?

Let God do more within you.
Ask God for more power.
Spend more time in prayer.
Enlarge your vision.

God is ready to do more than you could ever imagine!

As I read this verse, my heart is stirred.  I want to see God do more in my ministry, don't you?

In Luke 5, we see the story of some people who saw God do far more than they could ever have imagined.  In this passage, there are 7 steps to seeing God do more in your ministry.  Read the passage and then I'll share the seven steps with you.
"One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on Him to listen to the Word of God.  He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fisherman had left them and were washing their nets.

Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water.  So He sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.  When He had finished speaking,  He said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.'

'Master,' Simon replied, 'we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing.  But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again.'

And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, 'Oh, Lord, please leave me - I'm too much of a sinner to be around you.'  For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.  His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, 'Don't be afraid!  From now on you'll be fishing for people!'  And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus!"
Luke 5

Step 1 - MORE JESUS
It was when Jesus showed up that they saw the miracle.  His presence was the difference between no fish and boatloads of fish.  It's His power that brings more!

If you want to see God do more in your ministry, more than anything, you need Jesus' presence and anointing on your life.  Without this, you can labor for a lifetime and you won't see any miracles.  Fun games, high-energy videos, cool videos and awesome class spaces don't change lives.  I'm not against these things, I use them.  But they won't change a kid's life.  Only Jesus' presence can do that.

You see, God can do more in 1 second than we can in lifetime.  When we invite Jesus into our ministries through prayer, we will see great miracles.  You can then walk in Godfidence...knowing that He is going to do more than you could ever imagine or ask for.

Step 2 - MORE OBEDIENCE
When Jesus asked them to go back out into the water and let their nets down, they obeyed...even though it didn't make sense.  Look what Simon says...
You see, more obedience results in more blessings.  What is it that God is asking you to do?  Are you willing to obey even though it may seem unreasonable or not make sense?

Step 3 - MORE FRUIT
They saw Jesus do more than they could ever have imagined.  Two boats full of fish!  You may have reached a lot of kids and families up to this point, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.  God wants to use you to reach so many more.

Step 4 - MORE STRETCHING
Did you notice that their nets were stretched so tight that they started to tear and their boats were so full that they almost sank?  Talk about being stretched!

If you want to see God do more, then you have to be willing to be stretched out of your comfort zone.  Always growing...always learning...always teachable.

The temptation after you've been in children's ministry for awhile is to grow complacent...take your foot off the pedal...put it on cruise control.  Guard against it.  Look what Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14.

"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one things I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude."

Step 5 - MORE HELP
In order to receive all that Jesus had for them, they had to call for some friends to come help them.  If you want God to do more in your ministry, then you've got to prepare by bringing other people to help you receive it.

Build your volunteer base to receive more kids and He will send them.  Check out this verse in Matthew 9:38.

"So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send MORE workers into His fields."
Step 6 - MORE AWE
When Simon saw the miracle, he dropped to his knees in awe.  He realized the power and majesty of Jesus.  It ushered him into a mode of worship.

That is the response that must come from our hearts when we see God begin to work and bless us with more.  We cannot let the "more" that God sends our way cause us to become prideful or begin to be impressed by ourselves.  We must stay humble....realizing that it is His power that is at work and not our own.

Step 7 - MORE OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS
Look what Jesus tells Simon at the end.

"Don't be afraid!  From now on you'll be fishing for people!" 

If you want to see God do more in your ministry, then you must keep your focus on what matters to God...PEOPLE!

Everything we own is headed to the junk yard.  The car we drive...the house we live in...the clothes we wear...the new 80" flat screen HD TV...it will all eventually be trash.  But there is something that will last forever...something that really matters...and that is people!  People whom Jesus died for and loves.  People who need hope and faith.  People God wants to use you to reach.

May God pour out His blessings on you and your ministry.  May He send you MORE than you could ever imagine or ask for!

Time is one of your most precious commodities.  And it seems there's never enough of it to accomplish everything God has placed in your heart.

Ephesians 5:16 tells us to "make the most of our time."  Though we can't add hours to the clock, we can have a plan that will help us make the most of the time we do have.  Here's 10 tips to help you get the most out of your time.

1.  Keep a "do not do" list.
What you don't do is just as important as what you do.  Do what only you can do and say no thanks to everything else.  This list should constantly be growing.

2.  Focus on being "productive" instead of "busy."
Make a list of things that will enable you to have the biggest impact and spend your time there.  It's not how much you get done, it's what you get done.

3.  Don't strive for perfection. 
Most of the time, 85% is good enough.  It's the last 15% that eats up all your time.

4. Spend the best time of your day on your most important task.  
Are you a morning person?  Focus on your most important task in the morning.  Do you do your best work at night?  Spend that time on your priority.

5.  Have one priority task each day. 
You may have several tasks to accomplish each day, but decide what your most important task for the day is and complete it for sure.

6.  Tackle one task at a time. 
Research shows that multi-tasking can be counter-productive.  List your tasks and then knock them out one at a time.

7.  Block your time each day.  
Allot a specific time for each task.  This includes starting and stopping times for meetings.

8.  Watch out for people who are time grabbers.
People must be our first priority and I'm not saying don't make time for them...but I am saying be careful with someone who constantly wants to stop by and just "shoot the breeze."

9.  Remember energy translates into time.
You can work when you are tired, but you won't get as much done.  The temptation is to keep going when you've hit your limit, thinking you will get more done.  But in the end, you'll get more done by stopping to rest and refuel.

10.  Schedule time to think and plan.  
Don't fall into the trap of leaving no margin for thinking and planning.  Block time for this just like you would any other task.

11.  Have specific times to check your email.  
If you check email throughout the day, you will get sidetracked from priority tasks.  Block times to check your email and resist the urge to check it all the time.

12.  Balance your life.
When you spend all your time working, it will hurt your creativity...and most importantly your personal life and family.

The floor is yours.  What other tips do you have for time management?  Share with us in the comment section below.  

The most important person to affirm on your children's ministry team is the person reading this right now.  You!

If your team is going to be spiritually healthy...you have to be spiritually healthy.  If your team is going to be confident...you have to be confident.  If your team is going to be bold...you have to be bold.  If your team is going to be courageous...you have to be courageous.  If your team is going to walk in God's promises...you have to walk in God's promises.   

Many times we are our own biggest critic, aren't we.  We beat ourselves up...compare ourselves to others...remind ourselves of what we can't do...dwell on our failures...let negativity stay in our thoughts...believe what people other people say about us.

I am...

What would you finish the sentence with?

The next time you are discouraged, feeling worthless, trying to recover from a failure, or even on the verge of quitting...

Finish the sentence with what God says about you...

1. I am the object of God's kindness. (Ephesians 2:7)
2. I am someone whom God shows His power through. (Ephesians 3:7)
3. I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
4. I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)
5. I am a light in the world. (Matthew 5:14)
6. I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
7. I am a member of God's household. (Ephesians 2:19)
8. I am a minister of reconciliation.  (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
9. I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
10. I am a personal witness for Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8)
11. I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:18)
12. I am adopted as God's child. (Ephesians 1:5)
13. I am alive with Christ. (Ephesians 2:5)
14. I am assured all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
15. I am blameless in God's sight. (I Corinthians 1:8)
16. I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3)
17. I am born again. (I Peter 1:23)
18. I am dearly loved. (Colossians 3:12)
19. I am chosen before the creation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4,11)
20. I am Christ's friend. (John 15:15)
21. I am completed by God. (Ephesians 3:19)
22. I am confident that God will perfect the work He has begun in me. (Philippians 1:6)
23. I am crucified with Christ. (Galatians 2:20)I
24. I am dead to sin. (Romans 1:12)
25. I am delivered. (Colossians 1:13)
26. I am faithful. (Ephesians 1:1)
27. I am forgiven. (Ephesians 1:8, Colossians 1:14)
28. I am given God's glorious grace lavishly and without restriction. (Ephesians 1:5,8)
29. I am God's child. (John 1:12)
30. I am God's co-worker. (2 Corinthians 6:1)
31. I am God's workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
32. I am growing. (Colossians 2:7)
33. I am healed from sin. (I Peter 2:24)
34. I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)
35. I am holy and blameless. (Ephesians 1:4)
36. I am in Him. (Ephesians 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:30)
37. I am included. (Ephesians 1:13)
38. I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
39. I am no longer condemned. (Romans 8:1, 2)
40. I am not alone. (Hebrews 13:5)
41. I am not helpless. (Philippians 4:13)
42. I am not in want. (Philippians 4:19)
43. I am overcoming. (I John 4:4)
44. I am part of God's kingdom. (Revelation 1:6)
45. I am persevering. (Philippians 3:14)
46. I am prayed for by Jesus Christ. (John 17:20-23)
47. I am promised a full life. (John 10:10)
48. I am promised eternal life. (John 6:47)
49. I am protected. (John 10:28)
50. I am qualified to share in His inheritance.       (Colossians 1:12)
51. I am raised up with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 2:12)
52. I am redeemed from the curse of the Law.     (Galatians 3:13)
53. I am safe. (I John 5:18)
54. I am sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)
55. I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 2:6)
56. I am secure. (Ephesians 2:20)
57. I am set free. (Romans 8:2,  John 8:32)
58. I am the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
59. I am united with other believers. (John 17:20-23)
60. I am victorious. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
61. I am confident I can approach God with freedom. (Ephesians 3:12)
62. I am certain of God's truths and the lifestyle which He has called me to. (Ephesians 4:17)
63. I am strong through Christ. (Ephesians 6:10)
64. I am bringing glory to God. (Ephesians 3:21)
65. I am forgiving of others. (Ephesians 4:32)
66. I am able to give thanks for everything.       (Ephesians 5:20)
67. I am walking with a new attitude and lifestyle. (Ephesians 4:21-32)
68. I am able to mature spiritually. (Ephesians 4:15)
69. I am able to stand firm in the day of evil.     (Ephesians 6:13)
70. I am able to understand what God's will is. (Ephesians 5:17)
71. I am near to God through Christ's blood.     (Ephesians 2:13)
72. I am called. (Ephesians 4:1, 2 Timothy 1:9)
73. I am chosen and God desires me to bear fruit.     (John 15:1,5)
74. I am established, anointed and sealed by God.          (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
75. I am justified. (Romans 5:1)
76. I am a recipient of the incomparable riches of God's grace. (Ephesians 2:7)
77. I am filled with God's power. (Ephesians 6:10)
78. I am filled with hope. (Ephesians 1:12)
79. I am walking in power, love and self-discipline instead of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)
80. I am peaceful. (Ephesians 2:14)
81. I am living with a purpose. (Ephesians 1:9 & 3:11)
82. I am redeemed. (Ephesians 1:8)
83. I am possessing the mind of Christ.                            (I Corinthians 2:16)
84. I am sharing in the promise of Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:6)
85. I am protected with God's peace. (Philippians 4:7)