Lesson 13: Be Real!

Don’t be a Pinnochio. Don’t lie. Don’t be wooden. Don’t let anyone pull your strings. Be real . . . with real emotion, real mistakes, real life.

Real people make a real difference in the lives of students. Being the real you will foster real sharing between you and the students. Students are engaged and interested in authentic people who are open about their life and struggles. I love what a local church here in Birmingham prints on their literature. At the bottom of the page the words, “Preaching the gospel to ourselves, our community, and the world.” We have to preach to ourselves first.

I can’t stand gas fireplaces. I know they are more efficient. They don’t have the sound or the smell or put out the same amount of heat. There is no work involved. No hands on a dry log. No fingers wrapped around bark. No popping of sparks. In fact, I think we should rename gas fireplaces, “flameplaces,” not fireplaces. There’s no fire, just a blue-orange flame that smells funny. I’m not a fan of artificial flowers or fruit. Fluorescent lights aren’t the same as sunlight streaming in through the window.

None of the other 13 lessons I’ve written work without this one. If students can’t trust us to be real, they will never let us get really close to them. They will never be able to put confidence in what we tell them. Students don’t need to know all of the details of your past. They don’t need to know everything you struggle with. But they do need to know that you are real. They need to know that you failed . . . and God continued to show you love and use you. They need to know that you struggle to follow God just like they do. If students are going to have a genuine faith, they need to see a picture of genuine faith in you. Be Real!

Zach Skipper has spent over 12 years working with students. He has served as a youth minister, speaker, and bible study teacher. He is currently leading Bigtime Ministries while part-time coaching at one of the country’s leading Junior Highs in Birmingham, AL. To find out more about Zach’s ministry, contact him at www.bigtimeministries.com.