Blog

By Cruz Talamantes

I have often been surprised at the number of people who volunteer to serve in any capacity for our church. Maybe it’s because I know that if left to my own selfish desire, I would leave the work to others. In its purest form, serving a need in our church is a work of the Holy Spirit. It is simply an act of obedience to Jesus’ call to love others better than ourselves. In recognition of your obedience to Christ, I would like to thank every single one of you who serve joyfully, determinedly and with great conviction in our Children’s Sunday School ministry. Thank you for choosing to dedicate your time in prayer, preparation and teaching our families’ kiddos on Sundays.

Having established that your desire to serve is born out of your obedience and love for Christ, I’d like to suggest some of the reasons why you choose to serve Him teaching children. Is it because you see yourself in them when you were growing up? Do you recall your own Sunday School teachers and the impact they had on you by their loving-kindness? Or maybe, it’s because you did not grow up in church at all but now wish you’d had the opportunity that is now your own child’s? My own experience is very similar. My very first introduction to God’s word was by a young, teenaged girl who exuded kindness and patience as she taught my friends and I the story of Noah. That experience has never left me. It colored my understanding of a God who is a righteous judge, and though at the time I dreaded that I would face a similar fate, it also served to plant the seed for a joyful celebration when in my late teens, He opened my eyes to the beauty of His grace found in Christ’s suffering on the cross on my behalf. Simply put, this young lady Bible teacher laid the foundation in my heart for the gospel of Christ.

And very simply put, most of you serve with us in Sunday School because you want to let the kids entrusted to us know the beauty of the Gospel. One of you recently wrote me and said, “My goal in teaching Sunday School is to accurately handle God’s Word, point to the gospel and our need for Jesus.” It does not get more complicated than that. It is a profound message that by the Holy Spirit’s work through the life of an obedient servant will resound in the heart of a child and make them to be born again - just like you and I.

Will you join us in this important work? Do not be afraid to say yes, God equips us all for the very work he calls us to do. You do not know everything there is to know, you know Him and He is the One who equips us to teach. We currently have needs for volunteers teaching K-1st, 2nd-3rd and 4th-5th for both services. We would love for you to serve with us.

* * *

By Mike Brazie
I would encourage everyone to consider becoming involved in the Sunday School programs. Having been a Sunday School teacher for most of my Christian life, I can tell you it is a wonderful experience and blessing, and leads to greater spiritual growth. The effort of preparing lessons provides a more in-depth understanding of Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.

Teaching middle school and high school classes was a great experience as I was able to impact youth for Christ before their views had hardened, as happens in many adults.

I have also enjoyed working with young children in Vacation Bible School, as have many of you, but having them in a regular, on-going Sunday School class leads to greater spiritual growth of the youth and deeper personal relationships with them. It is a joy to be recognized by them as a spiritual leader with whom they can ask questions and share their concerns and fears with an attitude of trust, as they seek to know God’s purpose for their lives.

Everyone I know in Sunday School leadership sees the work as a great blessing from God and one that has eternal rewards in their own lives and the lives of those they are privileged to teach. Just ask them!

You can enjoy those blessings as well, and the church will provide the help and resources you need. Please volunteer to be a part of the Sunday School team.

I have noticed now as an adult that we all look back to those years some time ago when we were kids. Whether our childhood was wonderful or difficult, it is those moments that shape how we see the world, and what we value in life. We don’t think about it much when we are that age. Especially for those of us growing up in a home of believing parents who know how to guide and direct us. We don’t realize how much of our world is being shaped, but it is. 

When I was in middle school, God turned on the light in my heart and uncovered a truth about His character through His Word that I had never quite understood before - His unconditional love. It did not matter how much of a mess I was and still am, He loves me. What got me, however, was not the fact that He loved me, but the fact that He cared about what I cared about. What mattered to me, mattered to Him. 

What I cared about began to change as well. Jesus says to store up our treasures in heaven, not in this world. That verse changed my perspective. It wasn’t about being a good person, doing good deeds, living a good life, obeying all the laws, or any of those things that had previously made me feel good about myself. It was about the people who are coming with me to heaven someday.

I looked around and watched my peers, friends, and younger cousins. They were going to church because they had to. They were praying and reading God’s Word because they were asked to. It also appeared to me several of their teachers or Bible study leaders seemed to walk into church, speak words into the room and checkmark a box that recorded their “good deed for the week”. It bothered me some. I cared about my peers but didn’t have the platform to speak truth. It seemed to me that some of these teachers didn’t value the opportunity.

A few years later, God pushed me into the work myself. He wanted me to do it a different way, the way that I was taught by my parents, and my own high-school youth group leader: the personal way. What I mean by this is to allow the kids to see my own mistakes. It isn’t always fun, but I hope they know that I care about what they care about. God loves them, and He loves what He created them to get excited about. I want kids to understand this by seeing my example. I want to be invested in who they are, not just waiting for them give me the right answer. Many kids may know the answer, but God doesn’t want the words, He wants their hearts.

Sometimes I sense that they don’t understand. Most of the time, it’s just a routine for them. I know it was like that for me when I was their age, I can’t expect anything different from them. Yet, if they hear the truth, and see that I care about who they are, these are the memories that will never leave them. I have to be willing to address problems I see in their character; I have to be willing to say no to things that sound fun (even to me). Sometimes I’ll get to say yes to things, and then I have to be willing to take the fall for my own poor decisions. In the end though, when they look back, they’ll see Jesus doing his perfect work through an imperfect person who truly cared. 

As we focus on prayer and God's word in the new year, we asked several people in our congregation about their prayer life. Read below to find out more from Corban Spraker. 

When was the youngest that you remember praying for yourself?  What was that like?

As young as 5 or 6 years old, basically as long as I can remember after accepting the Lord as my savior. It has been a real comfort in my life to know that there is always an outlet for tough situations. 

Who is someone who has positively influenced your prayer life and how?

Certainly my (late) Dad has been most influential as a role model in this area by his belief in the power of prayer. 

What are you currently working on [or how are you growing] in your prayer life?

More frequent prayer and meditation on the Word, centering on the Lord's Prayer. 

What motivates you to pray? 

Mostly prayers of thankfulness, and sometimes to navigate challenging or tricky situations in life. 

What time of day is best? Where?

Typically before a meal, mostly at home. 

Do you typically give thanks before meals, even when alone?

Yes, most of the time. 

Favorite thing you've been taught (or learned) about prayer?

That prayer is powerful, and we may or may not always clearly interpret how our prayer is answered. 

Do you do better with lists? Other ways that you organize? Or just always better free? 

I would normally organize prayer around the most pressing topic on my mind.

One or two favorite time(s) of prayer that you remember? 

There have been times with major inflection points in family life with health issues and career issues, where I feel prayers were answered in powerful ways of healing and clarity in decision making. 

As we focus on prayer and God's word in the new year, we asked several people in our congregation about their prayer life. Read below to find out more from Josh Yu. 

When was the youngest that you remember praying for yourself?  What was that like?

I remember first praying for myself when I was 5 or 6 years old. I grew up in a Christian home so it seemed like what you do. You ask God for the food to be blessed, thank Him that He is good, etc. But that’s all it was when I was little. The first time I truly understood that prayer was more than just asking God for stuff, I was 16. And the difference was staggering. Actually talking with God, listening to Him and the Holy Spirit during that time of prayer, it was definitely more like a conversation and not just a list of requests. 

Who is someone who has positively influenced your prayer life and how?

My wife, Sarah. When the both of us come together to pray, the intense feeling of unity that becomes present is amazing. It’s truly a wonderful time when the both of us enter God's presence to pray, not just over our life and marriage, but for those around us.

What are you currently working on [or how are you growing] in your prayer life?

I am trying to work on praying how it seems David would pray. Going before God, taking the time to actually listen and see what is put on my heart, and to listen to Him. Not just bringing a list of requests. 

What motivates you to pray? 

My desire to be like Christ is what motivates me to pray. I try to pray daily, even if it’s just a short time of praise.

What time of day is best? Where?

Anytime, and anywhere. Especially on the roads of Albuquerque (haha).

Do you typically give thanks before meals, even when alone?

I try to, but it’s not as consistent when I’m alone as it should be. 

Favorite thing you've been taught (or learned) about prayer?

It was from one of Frank's sermons. You don’t have to fix your problems to come before God. If you’re distracted by something on your mind, then pray about it. If you’re angry, just pray. He doesn’t want perfect, He just wants us. 

Do you do better with lists? Other ways that you organize? Or just always better free? 

I don’t use lists when praying. I try to just sit with Him and pray about what is put on my heart. 

One or two favorite time(s) of prayer that you remember? 

My favorite prayer memory is probably the first time I simply sat and prayed for what came to my heart. It was awkward because it didn’t feel like how prayer did before, but in the end it was so satisfying. To sit in His presence and just listen. It was the first time I felt like I heard His voice. It’s humbling, but it’s such a sweet thing, to feel like He’s right there with you, and we have all the time in the world to just talk, creation and Creator.