Helping Your Students “Walk the Walk”: A CCYM Summer Resource

Ephesians 4:1-3 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

As youth leaders, we are continually challenging our students by asking them this question: “Are you walking the walk?”

Being in the midst of summer, with camps, mission trips, retreats, special events, etc., we begin to see students, and their families, really getting on track in their walk with our Lord. But we all know that there are still many things that can distract us all from truly “walking the walk.” Those distractions can include our cell phones, jobs, bosses, co-workers, T.V.’s, sports, music, lost friends, lost family members, etc.

The Good News is that God has placed a divine, holy calling on each of our lives. Included in His call are: His Word, His will, His work, His way, His purpose and His plan, and it’s all for His pleasure. He called ALL of us to walk in His call. As we do this, He is constantly working in us, reminding us that we need to fulfill His call with the right attitude. Having the right attitude means choosing to be humble, gentle, patient and tolerant with EVERYONE, and to do it through His love which dwells within us.

This means He wants us being CONSISTENT – not to start and stop, not to waiver – as we willingly give ourselves to others. Here are some practical ways we can be consistent in our walk and challenge our students and their families to do the same:

• Act in love – serving others needs and not worrying about our own needs. We can do this through loving others and doing things for them that no one else likes, or wants, to do. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet in John 13:4-17, He told them: “I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” The example of loving others by serving them is evident.
• Notice Differences – know that others are not like us and that’s okay. God created all of us in His image and, as believers, we are part of the body of Christ. We are not all “the same.” So, as we notice differences in others – as long as it is not contrary to God’s Word – then we do not need to worry about  them, or judge that person because they’re not “just like us”.
• Mend fences – there are times when we’re not going to agree with those around us. When there is an argument or a rift in a relationship, God is telling us, as His children, to do all we can to make the relationship right. We can’t “make” someone reconcile with us, but we need to try. We need to try to reconcile the broken fellowship with that person or group of people. We also need to make sure we do it with the right action and the right attitude. This honors our Lord and keeps us in right fellowship with Him. Offer

Let’s make this summer one where we are “walking the walk.” As we are, let’s to be sure and bring those that God has placed under our care along with us, so they choose to do the same.