For the most part, if given a choice, the average person whether adult, teen or child will NOT get up early on a Saturday morning. But when I was a kid there was one thing that could get me out of bed early…”The Justice League of America & the Legion of Doom” cartoon.
I would rush through breakfast just to get a front row seat on the floor of our TV room to watch my favorite superheroes battle against Lex Luther and the Legion of Doom. My favorite superhero out of all the Justice League heroes was the Green Lantern. Green Lantern’s power ring gave him great control over the physical world as long as he had sufficient willpower and strength to wield it.
Today, teenagers need a hero. Not a hero from American Idol, Glee, MTV Music Awards or from the sports arena. They need a real hero that will lead them to THE Hero.
This real hero is known to spend countless hours building his/ her strength by reading THE Hero’s book (the bible). They often go off to their fortress of solitude to speak (pray) with THE Hero to debrief and ask deep questions. They face difficult challenges from the villain (spiritual warfare) that continues to attack them and the students they love, but will not back down, and no matter what this real hero always talks (evangelism) about THE Hero and how to live for Him. And their goal is to train (discipleship) their students to become heroes and join THE Cause.
These real heroes aren’t concerned whether their hideout (the youth room) has the latest of technology or the best theme music. As a matter of fact, these real heroes prefer to spend more time outside the hideout on proven training grounds (mission trips, community service projects, youth training events, etc.) only to return to the hideout to regain strength (biblical teaching).
These real heroes go straight to the action. They can be found at school sports events, the local mall and/ or more frequently…a local coffee shop. They don’t keep bankers hours and can sometimes be found rescuing a student at all hours of the day or night.
So…are you a real hero to your students? And are you getting your power from THE Hero?
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” – 2 Peter 1:3
As youth workers we need to remember that our ability to minister to students does NOT come from us, but rather from his divine power. Everything we need in youth ministry God has given us.
Without his ring the Green Lantern was powerless, but even with it, unless he possessed sufficient will power and strength he was still powerless. When it comes to your students do you have the willpower and strength to rely on his divine power?
Jesus is THE Hero and he wants you to become a real hero to your students. So don’t be like Johnny Storm; the self-centered, overly cool, trying to hard, Human Torch from the Fantastic Four. That style of hero will NOT lead your students to THE Hero.
And a real hero will train and equip their students to share the gospel with their friends rather then keep them in the bat cave every week only talking about rescuing people. Batman had Robin, a young kid with energy who was eager to fight crime alongside his mentor.
Who are the Robin’s (that 10%) in your group, eager and ready to point people to THE Hero and what are you doing to equip them?
