A Moment for Mission
“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” —Hebrews 10:24, NRSVUE
Many of us in the US are celebrating Thanksgiving this week and perhaps looking forward to college students coming home for the holiday. It can be startling and wonderful to see people whom we knew as children come home a few months later filled with new wisdom as young adults. Next week, on United Methodist Student Day, we have an opportunity to come around these students and other young adults in our extended church family with love and encouragement.
As a church, we are raising children to learn and grow, to explore the world around them and to gain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of God and creation. In a community of faith, they are nurtured to approach their studies not just for personal success and accomplishments but as young Christian leaders who support one another and encourage others to pursue their dreams.
How can we be role models to the next generation in a way that supports one another and lifts one another up?
On United Methodist Student Day, we have an opportunity to encourage them with a special offering that provides scholarships to qualified students. When you give to the special offering on United Methodist Student Day, you invest in a channel of hope for young leaders who bring their wisdom and Wesleyan values into their schools and professions. Your contribution is an acknowledgment that the church has confidence in them and in their abilities.
Children’s Message
Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus 1:17:
“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .
will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
that makes God known to you.” (CEB)
Wisdom means having good judgment, making good decisions and knowing the right thing to do. Paul wanted the church to know Jesus better. When we know Jesus better, we become more like him, and we can make better choices that honor him.
One of the ways we acquire wisdom is by learning! Just like we go to school to learn math and science, we can learn more about Jesus and the Bible. And we don’t just stop learning when we finish school, we keep learning throughout our lives.
Hold up a toolbox. Just like this toolbox, our minds are like a storage place for knowledge and understanding. We need to keep filling our minds with new information and experiences. Maybe there is a new language you want to learn or a skill you would like to improve. What tools would you like to have in your “mind toolbox”?
Especially today, on United Methodist Student Day, we want to help you keep your toolbox full of everything you need as you grow and learn in the church and other parts of your life.
We never stop learning and growing in our knowledge and understanding of God and the world around us. We need to keep our toolbox organized and well stocked to be able to fix and build God’s world. We need to keep our minds open to new ideas and experiences to continue to learn and grow throughout our lives.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for this beautiful world you’ve created and for all the amazing things we can learn and discover in it. Help us to always be curious and eager to learn, to seek your wisdom and revelation and to become the best we can be in every way. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
Newsletter Nugget
And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. —Hebrews 10:24, CEB
Through United Methodist Student Day offerings, you engage in building a spirit of wisdom and revelation for young leaders, equipping them to pursue God’s call in their lives.
For many college students, going away to college can be a major life transition as they navigate new environments, relationships and responsibilities. We, as the church, can provide a supportive community for students during this time of transition, helping them feel more connected and grounded.
When young people grow up in the church and leave for college, we can continue to help students feel connected to their faith, their community and their future. And when we have college students among us, we can create space for them to belong. During this important season, we can help students thrive academically, spiritually and personally. Here are some ways to hold students in our care:
Pray for their well-being in body, mind and spirit.
Send a card or care package as a sign of encouragement.
Learn the names of the young people in our congregation.
Offer an online study group or provide tutoring.
Help students prepare their resumes and connect them with your network.
Celebrate accomplishments, no matter how big or small.
Let them know that you are available to provide mentorship, guidance or simply a listening ear.
Give generously to the United Methodist Student Day special Sunday offering: UMC.org/SSGive.