It's Summertime!

It’s summertime, and for a lot of young people that means more free time than usual. I understand that some of you may be busy working at your summer job or going to camps. However, if you do find yourself with a little extra down time, here are ten ideas for ways to fill that time in service to God:

1. Read your Bible! If you haven’t been keeping up with your daily

Bible reading regularly, now is a great time to implement the habit.

2. Invite a friend to worship with you. Sometimes there are other events

going on in our congregations during the summer that provide excellent opportunities for inviting guests (VBS, gospel meetings, youth events, etc.).

3. Volunteer to do yard work for an elderly member of your

congregation. If you are a resident of the South, you better get up

early to complete this one!

4. Assist with or teach a Bible class. Without the added pressure of

schoolwork, summer is a great time to develop your teaching skills.

5. Volunteer to run errands for someone who cannot get out as easily.

Pick up groceries for someone, or take them to a doctor’s appointment.

6. Write notes of encouragement to Christians near and far. Send cards

to people in your congregation and to missionaries or friends in other areas.

7. Offer free babysitting services to a young family you are close to. I’m

sure the parents would appreciate an evening out. If you would not feel comfortable watching the kids on your own, even offering to watch the kids while the mom or dad gets some things done around the house would be a great help.

8. Cook a meal for someone. If you are living at home, offer to make

supper for your family one night. If you are living on your own, invite

someone over or offer to bring a meal to someone who would

appreciate the help.

9. Become part of or start a women’s study group. If your congregation

or one nearby already has a ladies’ Bible study in place, see if you can join. If there isn’t one around you, get with some of your friends or other ladies in your congregation and start one. Fellowship and study with other women can be a huge source of encouragement.

10. Pray. Use your spare time to develop a deeper and more consistent

prayer life. It doesn’t require a huge amount of time, but getting into the habit of prayer will change your life, not just for the summer but for the years beyond.

Summer is a time of great possibility. Don’t let a moment go to waste!