READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27; GALATIANS 5:13

Whether we have known Jesus for a long time or a little while, we are part of His body—the church— because He saved us through His death and resurrection. But we may mistakenly think we can’t do important things in the church until we’re adults. Thankfully, I wasn’t even a teen yet when I learned that was not true.

I grew up in a very small church, so small that there were never enough adults to do everything. That was good for me—when they let me become a Sunday School teacher at only twelve years old.

Obviously, they felt desperate. No adult was available, so they were kind of stuck. The crazy thing is that I loved it, the little kids loved me, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I loved telling the kids about the God who loved them, and the class grew.

I learned that I was an important part of the body of Christ. The church needed me, and I needed them.

You might not be part of such a small church as I was. You may not see obvious needs in front of you. But I encourage you to look for ways you can serve, because your siblings in Christ need you.

This will require you to depend on the Holy Spirit in ways you may not have done intentionally before. But as you rely on His love to serve others, looking to Jesus—the one who served you by laying down His life for you—His love will overflow from you, and He will help you grow in spiritual maturity.

Think about things you could do and enjoy doing. Greet people? Prepare food? Sing or play an instrument? Help with technology? Set up chairs? Do yard work? Organize food and clothing donations? Create art? Teach children? Give a friend a ride to youth group? Ask God to show you where He is inviting you to serve…and watch what He’ll do through you. • Lisa Bouma Garvelink

• If you know Jesus, then you are part of the body of Christ, and God has given you gifts and abilities you can use to serve others in the body. How might God be inviting you to serve? In addition to talking to God about this, who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to?

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)