T-I-M-E

As I think back to last weekend, I still marvel at how something seemingly ordinary can make a difference.

Two weeks ago at youth group (well, close to two), Jordan made a reference to a movie relevant to our discussion in the small group with the high school guys.  To our great surprise, NO ONE had seen it.  So that went out the window and once again, we're left trying to explain it and well... it's only so effective when you haven't seen it.  Probably not that effective, really.

Youth group ended and Jordan, Leo and I started brainstorming on doing a movie night sometime with the guys.  The small group was as much the spark as anything, plus this awesome space that I'm currently sitting in writing right now.  We pitched the idea to a couple of the guys, and they seemed geeked at the idea of hanging out, watching a movie and stuff.

Two days later, I'm sitting with a couple of our kids at a hockey game.  One of them asked me when we're holding this movie night and that he was looking forward to it.  Admittedly, having the guys over for a movie night sounded like a lot of fun to ME, but I never know for certain how much fun something will sound to everyone else, so I always have to guess at least a little bit.  So when I got home, I told Jordan we needed to get moving on said plans.

Fast forward again; Jordan's and my house suddenly goes from relatively quiet to three goofy high school guys roaring in the front door with Leo.  And it was great.  I was reminded how ministry to anyone, but especially younger people has many facets to it.

Sure, teaching is vital.  We have to know our stuff as the teachers and leaders.
We have to know how to present this stuff in an effective and meaningful way to our audiences.
And we have to be an example that, although not perfect and still growing ourselves, is someone that our kids would want to be like (and that their parents would also want them to be like as well!).

But after inviting a few of my kids over for a movie night and enough pizza with dead animal bits on it to build a new animal, I realized that there's another piece of the pie that I VERY often missed out when I myself was in high school and would have killed for with my youth leaders and the other guys in youth group.

Time.
Just doing something fun OUTSIDE church and youth group.
No teaching planned.
That matters too.  Jesus spent time with people He cared about and I'm realizing that I should, too.

It was less than 12 hours later when I was asked when we're doing it again.  :-)  The others asked at youth group when we're doing it again, too.

And I'd be glad to.  In fact, I'm already a little bummed that I won't be around for summertime to do it when they all have more time on their hands.