Last night the high school students started a new study titled “Heart of a Champion.” The four-week study helps “students explore the nature of their heart—and how to develop a heart that seeks to reflect the character of God.”

The first week of the series focuses on having a heart for others and caring for people. I led the discussion and spoke about meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others; see John 9, Luke 19:1-10 and John 4:1-42 for examples of how Jesus met these needs for people he encountered during his ministry.

As is typically the case, we only had two high school students attend youth ministry (both senior girls), so we were able to spend quite a bit of time talking about their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. I have to admit, I feel unqualified to talk with girls about their emotional needs (i.e. their dating lives), so I’m very fortunate that I have a great female leader in the room with me in Charity.

The girls spoke fairly openly (perhaps not as much as if both of the leaders in the room were women) about what they’re looking for in boys, how they wish high school boys were more mature, etc. I was able to brighten the mood a bit when I told the girls that there is hope on the horizon; the type of young woman I’m interested in being with at age 27 is vastly different than what I was looking for at age 17.

I’m sure next week’s discussion will go as well as this week’s, as the focus of the session is  having a heart for quality relationships/developing meaningful friendships.

Thanks Simply Youth Ministry for another awesome sermon series!