Today on my way to work, I was thinking about the blog and racking my brain for ideas on what to write. I was feeling nervous about today's topic for two reasons: first, it is on outreach - which is something I don't feel I am very good at. Second, because I didn't get to hear Pastor's sermon about it yesterday. Instead, I was in Lil' K attempting to teach sixteen 3-5 year olds about prayer. So I started thinking about what lessons I've taught preschoolers about outreach over the past few years. Here are some of the highlights:
- Jesus is happy when I'm nice to others
- I can tell others Jesus loves them
- Jesus is happy when I am a good friend
- Jesus is happy when I share
- I can bring my friends to church
So there you have it - outreach oversimplified so a three-year-old can understand.
But what if that isn't oversimplified? What if it's us adults who have made outreach overcomplicated? What would it look like if I really lived out those five points in my life outside of church?
Am I really nice to others? Not polite, but nice. What if I really cared about people and the things going on in their lives? What if the people I supervised at work weren't just interruptions to things I wanted to accomplish that day? What if a positive encounter with them was the thing I wanted to accomplish today?
What if I really shared my resources cheerfully? How would it effect others if I gladly shared my time to assist them in their work or my money to assist others who need it more than I do?
What would it look like if I was a good friend? How many of my relationships don't revolve around my needs, my expectations, what's convenient for me? What if I viewed my friendships as ways that I could bless, support, and encourage that other person? What if I was willing to sacrifice what I want for the sake of having a better relationship?
When was the last time I shared Jesus' love with someone? When was the last time I invited someone to church???
What would it look like if we would take the earbuds out of our ears, put down our Iphones, close down Farmville, and start living out these points by showing love to those around us. As we say in Lil' K "Jesus is happy when we share his love with others."
Hannah Fratt
Children's Ministries Director
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3 comments:
Very challenging word, but what is farmville?
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is live life like an obediant three year old.
I love seeing things simple. That is why it must be why I teach the preschoolers on Wed. night. ha ha! Great word though, Hannah!
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