The Need for Thorns
Paul wrote about having thorns. No he wasn't speaking about the "shrubbery" of the day but more specifically the pain and trials that God not only allows in life, but uses to process the work of sanctification. It is not a popular topic, you will not find a whole section in the book store on pain, trials, thorns or struggle. If you do find these books, people usually avoid it because we as humans tend to run after the fleeting feeling of pleasure to try and avoid the pain in our lives. I am definitely guilty. Why is there a need for pain in life? More specifically, why is the Christian life so difficult at times? We have all heard the gospel. A loving God who comes to die for a sinful, angry, bitter, and selfish creation called humans. We are faced with a choice to find our worth through the cross or run after the pleasures of the world which eventually lead to destruction. Paul explains how to respond to the thorns in life:
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
When faced with thorns, we have three choices:
1. Run away from pain. This is the most widely chosen response to pain. I know I have tried before in life to cover pain by becoming busy to avoid it. God wants us to listen especially when we are hurting. It is his way to awaken us from becoming focused upon earthly things and reminds us of eternal things!
2. Deny the pain. Many times the response is to act as if you are not hurting. I think as Christians the response is to try to "spiritualize" our pain and never really deal with it. Face the pain. Be honest. Journal about it. Ask for prayer.
3. Embrace the pain. I think this is what Paul is explaining when it comes to the thorns in life. Embracing the thorn in our life does not mean we are jumping in excitement when we face trials, but trusting God enough to endure it through His strength. When a person accepts their pain then it allows the Holy Spirit to pour through their life.
Are you embracing the pain (thorns) of life and using the refining process to bring God glory?
Jesus' Approach to Ministry
(Just a few thoughts from a student ministry paper) First of all, Jesus did not have to come to Earth to die for mankind, but He did because of His love for mankind. Jesus had compassion on the people; His ministry was not based on conditions or duty. In Matthew 9:36 is says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV). Is this kind of heart for ministry portrayed in churches today? The reality is that Jesus’ heart broke for the people he healed and ministered too. He did not turn anyone away based upon disease, ethnicity, or any other type of issue. People were important to Jesus no matter what! The word used to describe how Jesus felt about the people was, “a pain that is deep in one’s bowels." Jesus had such compassion for the people that he hurt for them.
Students desire to be heard and known, and without a sense of compassion for them like Jesus, we will neglect the pursuit of Jesus’ heart. The realization of this passage of scripture is that these people were harassed by the world and were helpless to function properly in the world and we in need of a Savior. Relational growth is explained this way, “Jesus’ command was to “make disciples,” and after countless hours of debate among our leadership team we have concluded that discipleship happens most naturally in the context of meaningful relationships” (Stanley “7 practices..”, 91). Jesus shared life with the disciples and this shows that as a leader in student ministry, time must be spent to building intentional relationships.
What is the church doing today to exhibit Jesus’ compassion to the lost? Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Jesus’ ministry to the people was not one of condemnation or judgment, but one of salvation. The church must become active in bringing Christ to people through an active heart of compassion.
Jesus never approached people that did not know Him with a judgmental or condemning Spirit. Just like the verse says, “For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (Romans 5:15). Sin is what had separated us from a relationship with God and this gap is bridged by the cross. Jesus taught the disciples how to “become fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-22). I believe His emphasis was upon a lifestyle of building relationships with people (short and long-term).
He realized their physical needs and healed them and cared for their hurts. He was patient with people who were outcasts. For example, Paul explains Jesus’ heart, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16).
Jesus came to save sinners, even the same people who put Him on the cross and crucified Him. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Students are sinners and in need of Jesus in their life to change them. Jesus loved people first regardless of their response to Him. Shepherding students must be at the heart of leadership in ministry today in order to see Christ glorified.
Student ministry should model the heart of Jesus in all aspects. His response was not the kind of condemnation to sinners, but of compassion for their souls. Every aspect of student ministry should push students toward genuine repentance and faith in Christ.
Jesus’ desire was not fame but explained it this way, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). What is the goal of student ministry in Jesus’ eyes? Is it money, fame, notoriety or job titles? Student ministry must be the driving force of truth that helps students navigate the tough road of adolescence. Success is what the world calls the goal but Christ calls us to be faithful! The disciples were discussing quietly between themselves of who was the greatest among the disciples. Apparently they sought to determine the status of each other and compared themselves. “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all" (Mark 9:35). Jesus’ point was not on who was the most qualified, but who was willing to be a servant-leader.
Leadership in Student ministry should be clothed in servant-hearted ministry. Students can see right through a fake approach to reach them with the gospel if the motive is to bolster the leadership instead of glorifying Jesus. Being authentic and real with students comes into play with Christ-likeness in living out servant heartedness, compassion, authenticity, and love. The goal is to help students grow into fully devoted followers of Christ.
Social Landscape of Student Ministry
(Just a few thoughts from a student ministry paper) The landscape of student ministry has drastically changed over the years. Societal issues have plagued the church as a whole. A startling statistic on the family today is, “In 2003, 55.4% of men and 51.6% of women were married (down from 65.4% and 59.7%, respectively, in 1970)” (CPYU.org). The reality is that many college age students and singles are not getting married because they reject God’s ownership of marriage. Co-habitation is at an all time high, “69% of teens approve (30% disapprove) of living together before marriage from an online survey of 785 teens conducted in early 2004. Also, 49% of teens who attended religious services in the past week (86% for non-attenders) approve of cohabitation.” (CPYU.org).
The reality of many students as it relates to what is true is based on society’s actions and experiences. Postmodern thought of situational ethics has swept into the home and into the personal lives of students. Students desire the love and acceptance of a father and mother in their lives as they experience life. This quote states, “our role in a student’s spiritual development is helpful, but a parent’s role is crucial” (PDYM, 254). Including parents in the ministry is important to be able to know each student and minister to their life as a whole.
Students in today’s culture are looking for answers to their questions. Students grow up quickly and the most important time to reach them is while they are adolescents. This realization is a charge to the church to meet this important need of for reaching and discipling students.
It is important to show students the reality of the cross and the importance of accepting Christ as their Savior and building from that foundation into strong adults. A biblical understanding of Christ is the key ingredient that should consume the hearts and minds of students. Leadership must connect to students so they can find their source of purpose only in Christ.