Recently, I overheard my wife and a few others talking about the need for more teachers and volunteers for Junior Sunday School (JSS).
I recall my own experience as a JSS student. I was never an ideal student as I talked in class, distracted my classmates and refused to memorise Bible verses.
I recall a time during primary 2, when my JSS teacher taught about King David and asked us to memorize a verse from Psalm 23 each week. At the end of 6 weeks, he challenged the class, that if anyone could recite all 6 verses from memory, he/she would get a gift. I was motivated by the prize and spent the whole week learning and memorizing them.
That Sunday, to my teacher’s surprise, I could recite Psalms 23:1-6 to him. Earthly prize aside, the greatest gift that day was how that chapter has remained in my memory from that day onwards and I know that the Lord is all I need.
We may think we are inadequate for service in ministry, but I have come to learn in my years in ministry that God will provide us strength to deal with challenges and obstacles. It is also during these challenges that we can see His work in us.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV)
Service to the Lord knows no age limits. The Lord requires of His people a willing and sincere heart. There will be people to guide and provide support in every ministry. I always believe that many hands make the load lighter and easier in the long run. We never know how our service will impact others, but I believe that every one of us has a small part to play in and for the extension of His Kingdom.
Deacon Bryan Tan