This week’s Monday Ministry Helper is from Dr. James McDonald’s book: 10 Choices. The 5 title’s are Dr. James McDonald’s, but I have placed in my own thoughts about this. This week is about making God’s word a priority. Below are 5 practical things you can do to help you and your team make God’s word a priority:

1. Read it – We all know that the Bible is long and so it’s important that you take a steady dose each day to maintain a health spiritual heart, mind and soul. It’s best to have some sort of reading plan or otherwise you may falter. There are many great reading plans available and even if you are an online guy, you can get reading reminders by email or you can go online to a site like Bible Gateway and check out their reading plans.
2. Question it - Yeah it’s ok to question it. Not because you are against it but rather ask some of these types of questions: What is God trying to teach me about this passage? What am I to do with this knowledge? Are there any promises that I should claim? Does this remind me to pray for someone? What sins do I need to confess? Questions like these are great while reading the Bible because you can keep engaged and you will sense God’s hand and working in your life.
3. Plan and Pray It – Dr. McDonald suggests to journal your thoughts about what you are reading – or better yet “blog it baby” – that was from me;) He also suggests that you date and track spiritual growth. Also another great aspect is to pray God’s word. Praying God’s word helps you stay in alignment of His will and purpose for us as humans and the world we live in.
4. Memorize it – My son is in Sparks right now and he is really accelerating in his ability to memorize God’s word with the AWANA verses each week. I really don’t like bragging, but he wants to learn as many as he can each week and he is only 6 years old! It has convicted me that I need to be just as fervent about my memorization. A great way to do this is to take good ol note cards and place the reference on one side and the scripture on the back. I don’t want to stunt your memorization, but if you learned only 1 verse a week that mathmatically means 52 verses a year. How many do you know?
5. Share it – This is by far one of the most enjoyable times that I have in youth ministry because I get this opportunity to share the word with students. I encourage Bible study and struggling through scriptures. If it at all possible – move from using a book to doing your own Bible studies with the students you have. Isa. 55:11 “So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it”. So SHARE SHARE SHARE it!

Finally, how has making God’s word a priority helped YOU in youth ministry?