It seems that interest in the NFL draft gains momentum every year. So this year let’s look at it for what it really is–a great analogy for a prime time passage in 1 Corinthians 12, which goes something like this:
1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 14-18 (ESV)
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
Did you notice a 1-2 gifting punch in this passage? Not only does God give each of us a gift, but He also arranges us as He chooses, undoubtedly in a way that guarantees optimal ministry production. So, look around at the people in your church and student ministry. These are your teammates, teammates that have been hand-picked and hand-gifted by God for a unique mission.
This, then, brings up a few questions. These are presented in rapid-fire below, but use the question marks as a pause to reflect on each question. You may even want to journal your thoughts.
- What’s your immediate faith community? How did you come to be a part of that community? What events transpired? If you are on staff, what steps fell into place that led to the church’s call and your acceptance? If you are a member/ attender of the church, what sequence of events led to you becoming a part of this faith community?
- What’s your ministry charge? Do you teach a Sunday school class? Lead a youth ministry? Disciple a small group of students? What types of events happened in the lives of your charges that coalesced this particular group? Did most grow up in your church? Were several invited by friends?
Your answers to these questions represent God’s fingerprints in assembling your team. You may be part of something bigger than you have imagined. Think about 1 Corinthians 12:18 for a minute. Ponder what it means that God “arranges” the members as He chooses.
Every student and every leader in your ministry is there by divine appointment. How does this truth revitalize your sense of purpose?
God has not only arranged each member of the body, He has also gifted each one. Reflect for a minute on the giftedness of each student in your ministry charge. What does the aggregate of your giftedness indicate about ministry projects you might consider? Often we start with the project and try to make our group fit into the project. So let’s try this: after you’ve thoughtfully reflected on your group’s giftedness (you may even want to asses it through more robust efforts like a spiritual gifts inventory or a study on spiritual gifts) make a list of ministry projects that would be in the wheelhouse of your group’s giftedness.
Then, with your group, have your own draft day. List the projects on a board and work as a group to prioritize the projects, assigning a “draft pick” number to each. Over the next few weeks and months work through the list, selecting “draft picks” and completing the projects.
God has assembled a great team in which every player is a first-round draft pick. Take full advantage of God’s work and accomplish more than you could ever ask for or imagine!