By Barb Tuttle and Samme Rousopoulos
Our volunteers lovingly serve children and their families each week. These people who have been called to serve give their time, build relationships, and teach the importance of faith. Most people who serve in our ministries have families, full time jobs, and a variety of additional responsibilities away from church. As their leaders, we encourage them to spend time with God in Bible study and prayer on a regular basis.
We wanted to share with you what we have found works for us.
Barb has recently started a study of scripture in which she uses a Life Journal. Scripture is read daily and responded to by writing in her journal. She records an observation, application, and prayer. Using this model helps her to read from the Old and New Testaments each day.
Barb also has a backpack loaded with resources. Wherever she chooses to have her quiet time with God, she has her resources ready to go. Some of her “must haves” are her Bible, a candle to remind her of God’s presence, and a journal to write anything that comes to mind. She also has an abundance of devotional resources that add to her time with God.
Barb feels her soul soar when she is at an outdoor labyrinth, experiencing ancient prayers, enjoying artistic expressions of God, or sitting with hymnals reading/singing hymns. Variety is a key for her to experience renewal and be aware of God’s presence.
Our lives get so busy. We have to make time to quiet ourselves and let God speak to us through his word and prayer. We need to have times built in to our schedules when we say, “God, I am willing to listen.”
Barb is taking her children’s ministry leaders on a solitude retreat next month. Their schedule will not be for planning but for listening to God. These times will enrich the lives of those she works with and will teach each person more about reflection and solitude.
Samme has her favorite devotional books. She also recommends a regular Bible reading plan. Currently she is reading a different Proverb everyday. The first of each month she reads chapter one and thereafter reads the chapter according to the date of the month.
Samme makes it a point once a quarter to take a day away by herself —usually at a nearby park by the water. She has to schedule it into her calendar or it won’t happen. Her time is spent in silence—which she says is really hard. Then a time is spent in scripture reading, reading for reflection, and a time of reflection—usually through journaling, and then prayer. She takes time to walk in the park —using her camera or drawing to try to capture some of God’s greatness—never fully succeeding, but they are good reminders of who is over all.
Spending so much time on the computer also makes picking up her daily e-mailed devotional easy. Our Daily Bread is emailed daily to her with a Bible reading plan, key verse and devotional thought. She can download the mp3 to listen to also onto her PDA.
Think about how you learn best. How do you receive information best? Are you a visual learner? Study paintings, nature, paint pictures. Are you an auditory learner? Listen to music that lifts up Christ or play a musical instrument. Or perhaps you are a tactile learner? Work with clay or in a garden. Whatever type of learner you are, find devotional material to match your style and spend time in that element.
Whatever your style, what is important is to intentionally carve out your time with God. Do not let anything else get in the way of it. Talk with your volunteers, sharing what works for you and what could work for them. Encourage them to be creative. More than anything, God wants us to take time to listen to him and talk with him. It is in those times we learn more about God and are transformed to become more like Christ.
Prayer:
God, thank you for leading us beside still waters. It is there we are restored and our often weary souls are refreshed in your presence. We know we cannot be that which you have called us to be without you. You give us strength, courage and fortitude for ministry. We look to you for guidance and wisdom. We come to you with open hands, hearts and minds asking you to fill us and give us love and grace for each new day. You are our hope and we want to share that good news with all those whose lives we touch. Amen
Suggested Resource listings:
- Pathways to God, a daily devotion guide. Published by the Church of God on a quarterly basis. Warner Press, Anderson, IN 1-877-346-3974
- Job, Rueben P. and Norman Shawchuck. A Guide to Prayer for Minister and other Servants. The Upper Room, Nashville, TN. 1983
- Job, Reuben P. and Norman Shawchuck. A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People. The Upper Room, Nashville, TN. 1990
- Job, Reuben P. and Norman Shawchuck A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God. The Upper Room, Nashville, TN. 2003
- Muller, Wayne. Sabbath. Bantam Book, New York, NY. 1999
- Kulp, Ann Z. Spirit Windows. Bridge Resource, Louisville, KY. 1998
- Postema, Don. Space for God. Bible Way, Grand Rapids, MI. 1983
- Hazard, David. A Day in Your Presence-a 40 day journey in the company of Francis of Assisi. Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, MN. 1992.
- www.Gospelcom.net Lists a multitude of devotional material. (e.g., My Utmost for His Highest, Our Daily Bread, Daily Strength, et. al)
Authors: Barb Tuttle is the children's pastor at Mountain Park Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Samme Rousopoulos is the children's pastor at Church at the Crossing in Indianapolis, Indiana.
