God’s Power Tools – #3
Unity with God’s community is powerful! We need never suffer trying to do ministry alone. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” Many have gone before us and many walk this same road even now. Other’s work can enhance ours but we must keep our eyes on Jesus to direct us in the way of truth.
God graciously blessed us with community as our 3rd power tool. Ephesians 4:11 (Net Bible) tells us, “It was he who gave some . . . to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God . . .” His children over time have produced a whole plethora of teaching tools from visuals to whole curriculums, teaching techniques, crafts, games, and object lessons that enhance the communicative power of instruction.
Don’t neglect the power of community. Christian Book Stores and the internet are storehouses for curriculums, ideas for lessons, worksheets, craft and game ideas. Remember to use caution! Just saying a lesson is true to God’s Word doesn’t make it so. Accept a man’s interpretation apart from your own prayer and immersion in God’s Word and you could end up teaching heresy. There is no replacement for the hard work of comparing man’s work with God’s Word.
If it is worth teaching it must be truth. Only truth will stand the test of God’s approval! Remember 2 Timothy 3:15 (Net Bible), “Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.” In a world that has become so entertainment focused, we, too often, dilute our message to make it easier to believe. Inadvertently, we throw out the baby with the bath water. Work hard to make your lesson first spiritually nutritious and then infuse it with enthusiasm and creative fun. In this world of fast food many children suffer from malnutrition. Make it your aspiration that those who come to you spiritually hungry, leave well nourished.
Suzi Ciliberti
Suzi Ciliberti works for Christar, a Missions Agency that plants churches among least-reached Asians worldwide. She served in Japan for two years as a single missionary and another nine with her husband and two children, then the family returned to the states. She and her husband have been serving in the US Mobilization Center since 2000. As a part of the Member Care Department, Suzi is consultant to families with children. She has been working as a children’s teacher since she was 17 and began her training under Child Evangelism Fellowship. She has taught in the church, as a school teacher for two years in a Christian elementary school, and as a speaker for adults training to work with children. She has also trained children, who are a part of families that work overseas, in their identity in Christ. She brings 44 years of teaching experience to her work. She loves creative writing as well as teaching and has found great fulfillment in combining the two as she blogs for Heartprints. She finds it a great privilege and joy to serve the Lord and His people. One of her favorite verses is Deuteronomy 4:10b, "Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children."
