The Blessing of Christ-centered Family Ministry

A few years ago I had the opportunity to briefly share at an event for the volunteers in the Family Discipleship Department at Bethlehem Baptist Church and reflect on the blessing that it was to grow up in a children's and youth ministry that was Christ-centered and gospel focused. I recently came across what I said, and it reminded me how grateful I am that the gospel was declared to me and my peers continuously from a young age, and that Sunday school was never a game or a ploy to get people in the door. It wasn't about fun, it was about Jesus. And that provided more pleasure than any activity could. My leaders weren't still kids at heart. Rather they were gospel saturated role models that I could look up to and strive to imitate as Paul commanded the Corinthians to imitate him. I owe much of who I am to the what I was taught as a child and teen at Bethlehem and am grateful I was taught that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.

Here is what I said to the group:

My name is Sam Dahl, and I had the blessing of growing up here at Bethlehem and graduating in 2008. My family began attending the summer before my third grade year despite my resistance. It was hard to change churches and leave the friends that I had, but God knew exactly what He was doing. Looking back, I am so grateful for every year spent here and for the many people that have influenced me along the way. I want to share with you three blessings God has given me through the Family Discipleship Department that helped to build me up in the Lord and draw me closer to Him.

First, I was provided with Christ-centered, gospel saturated children's and youth ministries that were more focused on the glory of God than on having fun or entertaining me and the other students. While it can be hard to keep the attention of young ones, and youth may often seem disinterested, what they need and want deep down is the truth about God. Romans 1:16 says the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. That was me, I believed but I needed the gospel, I needed that power to continue His saving work in me. This is what I received here, and I thank God for it.

Second, I was provided with an accurate understanding of who I was in relation to God. Romans 3:11-12 says, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” That even included me, the kid that grew up in a Christian home, went to church every Sunday without, was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12^th grade and knew all the Sunday school answers and then some. Here, I was taught that if I was left to myself, I was hopeless and all the church going, homeschooling, and head knowledge that had been given to me could not save me. Here I was taught that I needed someone outside of myself to be my Savior.

And finally, I was provided with a glorious picture of the crucified and risen Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus is, “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of his power.” 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” And Hebrews 4:15 says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  

This is the Jesus I was taught, a gracious and glorious Lord; the God-Man who laid down his life and was put to death in His body, for me; was raised and made alive by the Spirit, for me; and is right now interceding with the Father, for me. But not ultimately for me, but for the glory of the Father. Here I was taught the power of Jesus Christ and that the purpose of His life and my life is that the Father may be glorified.

God used the Family Discipleship Department to give me a biblical foundation to stand on when I left this place and departed for school. I continue to thank him for the Family Discipleship Department at Bethlehem and I thank you for giving your time and effort to help influence the next generation for the glory of God in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.