How can I be sure...

[LogicalChristian]

I currently help lead a life group (weekly study group) with my local church. However, lately I've felt as though I'm to spend more time with our youth.

A lot of our youth know me, and some of them even go out of their way to find me on Sunday/Wednesday. I enjoy chatting with them, hugging on them, and giving them words of encouragement.

I have 3 teens myself, so I feel that I can relate to what a lot of them are going through. I am by no means a perfect father, and I have made a lot of mistakes through the years, just ask my kids. But I do feel that I have a connection with them, and that I might be able to help them.

So my question is, how can I be sure that what I'm feeling is a call to help with the youth? How can I know that I should leave the life group I'm currently with, and refocus my time on the youth at my church?

I know the obvious answer is pray. And I also know that by posting here, nobody is going to be able to give me a perfect answer. I guess that I just want to ensure that what I'm considering is what He wants, and not what I want. Because I do think it would be cool to help out with our youth, especially since we're about to open a new youth center for our town, but I'd like to make sure that what I'm considering isn't being done for my own sake.

I and my family have come under attack in the past with each step I take towards God. It is very evident that the enemy doesn't like how I've grown and there have been a lot of curveballs thrown at us. It's ranged from physical issues, to the renewing of old immoral addictions. We continue to fight these attacks on a weekly basis. One of my concerns is being used inadvertently by the enemy to do wrong in the life of the youth program, instead of being used by Him to do good. I'm not sure if that makes sense, it's kind of hard to place my concern into words.

I'd appreciate your prayers for discernment, and your advice.

 

[heymikey80]

A few thoughts after over 20 years ... these do not always work in reverse, either. That is, if you don't have some of these, it's not as significant.

strong interest to connect youth with the Gospel of God's Salvation through relying on Jesus -- a primary indicator of who to serve

you work well with people already in your youth ministry, even when you disagree -- a strong indicator of where you should serve.

you keep confidences and still pursue the real problems you're seeing like a Hound of Heaven -- a skill of interpersonal counseling that youth and in-family conflicts need quite often, useful in youth ministry, but nonspecific.

you have always cared intensely about the spiritual growth of young teens -- an indicator.

your own kids think you work well with other kids their age -- a strong indicator.

your own kids want you to minister or advise their friends -- a strong indicator.

your own kids appreciate your involvement while they're around -- a miraculous and I'd say one of the strongest indicators. For the record we try to separate family members in some settings and not in others, because we want our ministries to provide extra-familial involvement, but we also want to encourage family involvement.

there's a transition path out of your existing ministry to make way for this ministry -- a secondary indicator God may be shifting your service.

 

[LogicalChristian]

Thanks for that. I asked my kids before I did anything if they would be ok with Dad working with the youth, and if they thought I could help. They seemed to be pleased that I showed interest.

...back to my knees I go

 

[LogicalChristian]

Welp, here we go...

I got a call last week from the youth minister, and he asked me for my help with the youth since they have expanded.

He's placing me with 6th graders.

It's not where I envisioned myself serving, but as always God shows us where we are to serve.

Please pray for me, that I have the kindness, wisdom and knowledge to lead these young children.

 

[Christ-ian]

Wow logical! Good to see that you are lead step by step!

All the best!

 

[Timothew]

Hello Christ-ian!

You are where I'm at. I'm feeling that since we are free in Christ, He gives us some authority to go where ever we feel the greatest need is, where we can do the best for Him.

Where do you find your prayers going? I mean, when you pray, is there something that you find yourself asking God for again and again? God please save the XXX, you make be called to go to XXX. God, why won't you do YYY, He probably wants to do YYY, through you.

It's hard to separate our desires from what God wants, but I think that if you love, and act on that, you wouldn't be far off.

 

[airintriana]

When God want you to do something good, just do it.. "The call" is only the call when you go through this. Don't waste your time too much to ask if this is God's will or not. Just go through this, and go for it. And you will get the answer as time goes by.
Hope it helps. GBU