Campus Missionary: Serve

Summary

Tonight, I introduced our summer series to the students, focusing on the Book of Acts and how to be campus missionaries. We discussed the importance of spreading the gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Great Commission. Noah shared a powerful testimony from youth camp, emphasizing the impact of spiritual experiences on our youth.

I explained that being a missionary isn't limited to adults or foreign countries; our students can be missionaries on their school campuses. We explored five disciplines of a campus missionary: serve, live, tell, give, and pray, with a focus on serving like Jesus. Serving develops spiritual maturity and allows students to use their God-given talents for His purpose.

This summer, we'll dive into each discipline, preparing our students to return to school ready to make a difference. I encouraged them to participate in Oxford missions and VBS to put their servant hearts into action.

• Dinner Table Discussion Guide

  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 1: The Book of Acts and Its Importance

  Question 1: What did you learn about the Book of Acts and why it's important for us as Christians?

  Question 2: How did the early disciples spread the gospel, and what can we learn from their methods?

  Question 3: Why do you think it’s important for us to understand the beginnings of the church?

  Activity: Read a passage from the Book of Acts together and discuss what it teaches about sharing the gospel.

  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 2: The Power of the Holy Spirit

  Question 1: How does the Holy Spirit give us boldness to share our faith?

  Question 2: Can you share a time when you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you?

  Question 3: Why is it important to rely on the Holy Spirit when talking to others about Jesus?

  Activity: Pray together as a family, asking for the Holy Spirit to fill each of you with boldness and guidance.

  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 3: Being a Campus Missionary

  Question 1: What does it mean to be a campus missionary, and how can you apply this at your school?

  Question 2: What are some ways you can serve your classmates and teachers?

  Question 3: How can you prepare yourself over the summer to be ready to share the gospel when school starts?

  Activity: Make a plan for how you will serve and share the gospel at school, and discuss ways the family can support you.

  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 4: Serving Like Jesus

  Question 1: What are some examples of how Jesus served others during His ministry?

  Question 2: How does serving others help us grow spiritually?

  Question 3: What are some talents or abilities you have that you can use to serve others?

  Activity: Plan a family service project where everyone can use their talents to help others in the community.

  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 5: Testimonies and Sharing Faith

  Question 1: Why is sharing personal testimonies, like Noah’s (who shared his camp testimony), important for strengthening our faith?

  Question 2: How can your own experiences with God encourage others?

  Question 3: Who is someone you know that needs to hear about Jesus, and how can you share your faith with them?

  Activity: Practice sharing your testimonies with each other, focusing on how God has worked in your lives and how you can convey that to others.

• Sermon Outline

  Starter

  Introduction of the summer series focusing on the Book of Acts and campus missionaries.

  Reminder of the summer contest and learning objectives.

  Message

  Overview of the Book of Acts and the spread of the gospel.

  The importance of the Holy Spirit in spreading the gospel.

  Testimony from Noah about his experience at youth camp and receiving the Holy Spirit.

  Explanation of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the need for the Holy Spirit’s power (Acts 1:8).

  Dig Deeper

  The definition and role of missionaries, emphasizing that students can be campus missionaries.

  Misconceptions about missionaries and the true meaning of being a missionary.

  Five disciplines of a campus missionary: serve, live, tell, give, and pray.

  Focus on the discipline to serve, using Jesus as the example (Matthew 23:11-12).

  Application

  Serving follows Jesus’s example: humility and servant leadership (John 13:1-17).

  Serving removes barriers and opens doors to share Christ’s message.

  Serving develops spiritual maturity by shifting focus from self to others (Mark 10:45).

  Using God-given talents for His purpose and serving in various capacities.

  Encouragement to participate in Oxford missions and VBS as practical ways to serve.

  Conclusion

  Summary of the key points: importance of serving, spiritual maturity, and using talents for God’s purpose.

  Invitation to students to become campus missionaries and serve their schools and community.

  Prayer for guidance and commitment to serving like Jesus.