Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV —  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

This week I am sharing ministry opportunities. Ministry is the act of serving others. On the back of the weekly bulletin at my church there is a section that has a list of ministry opportunities for the week. One of the ministry opportunities listed every week is Sunday School. How can Sunday School be a ministry opportunity?

Sunday School is a time to gather with fellow believers. In our class we share joys and prayer concerns and we pray. The lesson includes the reading of scripture and questions in response to the scripture. To be a minister we must take time to be filled up with the word of God, so we may share it with others. During our Sunday School time everyone has the opportunity to join the discussion and share points of view. It is clear that Sunday School is a ministry opportunity for the teacher, but what about the students? 

As a student in a Sunday School I gain new understandings and insights which God may have me use in the future. The time of fellowship with other believers fills my heart with love and joy. Finally, by hearing the viewpoints of others as well as how the topic relates to them, I am able to make connections that may later lead to God using me to minister to them because of our shared experiences.

If you attend Sunday School, how has it been a ministry opportunity for you? If you do not attend Sunday School I encourage you to prayerfully consider it as a ministry opportunity for you.

Join me in prayer. Dear God, thank You for the ministry opportunity of Sunday School. I trust that You will use my time in Sunday School to fill me up so later I may pour You out for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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