Hope Center Part II
On Sunday evening, we had a Church service. The children sang many songs, and are very good singers. They have a blast. There are five worship leaders, including Raju, Naveen, Pooja, Renuka, Kajal and Gita. They did a fantastic job.
I gave a sermon more than a testimony, although it certainly comes from a place that is near to my heart. I started by asking students who is the smartest person in the world (Jesus). I explained how in Ephesians, we are part of God's family. I went on to explain that as members of His family, we have a job to do - to bring glory to God's Kingdom, and to help usher in his Kingdom for all of God's creation.
I then went on to explain that as members of the Kingdom we participate in two important ways - "prayer and action." I told them that the most important word is and. One action without the other can be ineffective.
When it comes to action, one of their most important tasks is to learn, to get an education. An education will help them to become more like Jesus. Luke 6:40. I reminded them that at least three of them want to be nurses and that at least one of them wants to be a pastor, and that these jobs require an education.
I found an interesting connection this morning between the sermon that I preached last night and a new book by James K. A. Smith called Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview and Cultural Formation. In the book, Smith talks about how education should be tailored for Christians. He identifies the importance of education as part of what it means to be Christian.
