So . . . What Is Your Real Focus?

When it comes to children's ministry there is often more than one thing to focus on . . . the vision for the ministry, selecting the resources to best help you accomplish your vision, sharing your vision with others, finding, training, supporting volunteers, communicating effectively with parents . . . the list could, and often does, go on and on. but what is your real focus? What is the one thing you really need to keep at the top of your list?

I believe it is spiritual growth. We can not give to others what we do not have for ourselves. If we are not growing spiritually, we will not be equipped to help our volunteers grow spiritually. If they are not growing spiritually, how can we expect the children in our ministries to grow? Sometimes it is easy - too easy - to focus on the "things" we need to do and lose sight of the thing we really need to be focused on . . . knowing and walking with Jesus. 

So . . . as you serve in your children's ministry, consider the following focus - there is one for each month of the year . . . 

1. I will depend on God and put myself in His hands! 
2. I will cry to God for help because I know I can call on Him and I'm confident He will answer!
3. I know there is no one like God!
4. I will give honor to God and put His work on display - showing His Greatness because there is no one but God!
5. I'll ask God to train me to walk straight so I can follow His true path!
6. I need God to put me together, one heart and mind so undivided I'll worship Him in joyful fear!
7. From the bottom of my heart I thank God!
8. I will not keep secret what God is up to!
9. I will share how God has shown His great love to me!
10. I will praise God because He is both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love and He never, never quits!
11. I wait in anticipation of how God will look me in the eye and show His kindness by giving me the strength to go on!
12. I joyfully anticipate how God will show His love for me as He gently and powerfully puts me back on my feet!

Psalm 86 . . . ^1-7 Bend an ear, God; answer me. I'm one miserable wretch! Keep me safe—haven't I lived a good life?  Help your servant—I'm depending on you! You're my God; have mercy on me. I count on you from morning to night. Give your servant a happy life; I put myself in your hands! You're well-known as good and forgiving, bighearted to all who ask for help. Pay attention, God, to my prayer; bend down and listen to my cry for help. Every time I'm in trouble I call on you, confident that you'll answer. 
^8-10 There's no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord, and nothing to compare with your works. All the nations you made are on their way, ready to give honor to you, O Lord, Ready to put your beauty on display, parading your greatness, And the great things you do— God, you're the one, there's no one but you!
^11-17 Train me, God, to walk straight; then I'll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord; I've never kept secret what you're up to. You've always been great toward me—what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster! God, these bullies have reared their heads! A gang of thugs is after me— and they don't care a thing about you. But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child! Make a show of how much you love me so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, As you, God, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet. (The Message)