Brain Food

You’re Human

The most important thing you can do as a youth leader isn’t to give the most dynamic talk, to plan the best retreat, or to play the best guitar. The most important thing you do is love God—and focus on your relationship with Jesus. It all starts there.

This kind of love is contagious; it can’t be contained. When you love God with everything you are, it oozes into the lives of those around you. Students are particularly observant and will easily pick up on your love for God.

Do this wisely. Pursue God with your mind—seeking truth for the sake of your own faith and for responding to the questions of your students. Be okay with telling them that you don’t know all the answers, and work with them to seek truth together. As you’re dependent on God, this pursuit of answers will be more natural.

Be encouraged—God is using you to further his kingdom in ways that are beyond your wildest imagination!

“God’s creation was for definite purposes. Humans were intended to know, love, and obey God.”

—Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine

God's Word

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” —Deuteronomy 6:4-9