This is my 28th year participating in the Lads to Leaders convention. I competed all ten years that I could, judged, coached, composed, and led. Ben and I are reflecting this morning in the way up to convention this morning, and I’d love to share my thoughts with you.
When we youth ministered, we introduced Lads to Leaders to the youth group and their parents. The kids were so excited, but the parents were apprehensive. I remember going round and round with a mom about the event, Good Samaritan. “Why would I teach my kid to send cards, sit with shut ins, and visit nursing homes for points and a medal?”
Over the years, I’ve watched lots of congregations reject this phenomenal opportunity for their youth because of the idea that they are “working for the trophy.” Can I ask you a question?
ARE YOU WALKING IN THE LIGHT IN ORDER TO EARN HEAVEN?
As a baby Christian, we learn the “do’s and don’ts” of the Christian lifestyle. We learn what is healthy and unhealthy for a peaceful life on our way to see the King. The older we get, the more we realize that this life isn’t about being at peace or being happy because Heaven can’t be earned. This life is about producing fruit.
In elementary school, you get stars and demerits. In the moment, stars bring you joy and demerits make you go home and tell your mom, “It’s the teacher’s fault,” am I right? As you mature, you find yourself graduating high school, making good grades, getting a scholarship, and landing your dream job. Why? You learned from those demerits. Eventually, you became grateful for the training that you had. How much more important is it that we give our kids as much training to produce fruit as we possibly can?
I can still quote scriptures that I learned in CENTURION OF SCRIPTURE. I’m now teaching girls classes from the book GIFTS. I write cards to shut-ins because it brings them joy as it did in GOOD SAMARITAN. I learned to properly set a table for new members I have over to the house through KEEPERS. I taught my children to KNOW THE BOOKS before age 2. I’ve READ THE WORD to better know the God I’m serving. I can discuss the Bible with my sister in law from Costa Rica in a SECOND LANGUAGE. I started teaching Bible classes my 8th grade year thanks to the training from TEACH TO TEACH. I have far my knowledge of the Bible training in BIBLE BOWL than I ever would have on my own. I’ve written over 50 PUPPET skits to inspire kids of all ages to fall in love with my Savior. In my current ministry and career, I’ve blogged with MASS MEDIA, used DEBATE skills to write and publish two Christian books, led SONGS OF PRAISE at countless ladies days and conferences, and have written SPEECHES to speak at many girls days and ladies days throughout the years.
The fruit that is produced from these acts of service far exceeds any trophy that I received in Nashville. Ben was not as fortunate, and he still rides the same “passion plane” for this organization. He tells stories about him and his dad arguing every Lads season. This morning he said, “I’m glad my dad pushed me as hard as he did. There’s no way I would be where I am, doing what I’m doing, or even married to you if it weren’t for Lads.”
We get eighteen years with our children to mold, encourage, and inspire. Training of any kind is a tough battle to fight, but the long term reward is well worth it. What will your child say about the training you’ve given them in five, ten, or twenty eight years?
For more information, visit www.lads2leaders.com.
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