S3 Stories of Strength

“However, they did not listen, but they kept acting in accordance with their earlier custom. So, while these nations feared the Lord, they also served their idols; their children likewise and their grandchildren, just as their fathers did, they do to this day.”   2 Kings 17:40-41

This sounds very familiar … In our culture today we also cling to our customs, wanting God to be part of our plan – While God wants us to be part of His.

We profess Christianity … but say we must be “realistic” when the Bible demands changes in our behavior. The bottom line is we want a Savior… but have no intention of handing over the reins of our lives … However, God’s offer is to be both our Lord and Savior; it has always been a package deal.

Like the church at Laodicea, we think we don’t need anything. We show up Sunday morning, expect to be entertained, and bask in our self-righteousness… Never looking honestly at our hearts as that would demand confession and repentance…and would require change and obedience.

The idol of comfortable prosperity lures us as it has for generations. We want to serve The Kingdom, but only when it advances our own. Servanthood and self-sacrifice are no longer preached or practiced, and cultural traditions and opinions have replaced scripture as our guide.

How can we have drifted so far from the truth?

Have we forgotten that we are not fighting against lost people – we are fighting for them? God commands that we obey scripture, and lead others to Christ. Yet our hypocrisy not only misleads us, it misleads our children and grandchildren as well… Our culture is faltering, and we must get off this path.

The cost to follow Christ is everything… we must die to ourselves. So, either make that choice, or stop talking about it and confusing others with your duplicity.

If you fear God but still want to pursue your idols, you have a dilemma… The first commandment could not be clearer…it insists that we have only One God. Part-time Christianity has never been offered. So, choose this day whom you will serve… and then start obediently serving.

“The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are opposite sides of the same coin.” – A. W. Tozer

For more devo’s created by Boyd Brigman, check out his site bigosbibletime.blogspot.com

Hello, I’m David. I’ve worked in youth ministry for 15 years and can confidently say there’s something very special and powerful about Students Standing Strong (S3).  Experiencing God’s Word wash over a room of 60+ kids every week is incredible! Empowered by the S3 model, kids dive into Scripture, teach and lead their friends, and put themselves in places where God uses them. My S3 Story is a family story.  I will start with my story and then let you hear from my wife and kids.

Our family worked together to get an S3 club started in our school district and it’s been a great opportunity.  Our own kids are learning scripture and leadership in ways they’ve never experienced before, and Stacy and I are building relationships in our community in new and impactful ways.  We’re grateful that S3 is in our schools and are humbled by God’s pursuit of the hearts of students and our family.  God doesn’t need us to do His work, but He chooses to invite all of us into what He’s doing. What a humbling invitation.
David, Father

Last fall, I was burdened for students at our school and several moms and I began to pray. We wanted to fight for kids to know the truth of who they were in Christ. So, when I heard about S3, I knew we needed to help bring a club to the intermediate school. I’ll admit I had a few moments of fear and doubt but God reminded me He was already there. He wanted me to trust Him. Students asked their friends to the S3 club and things took off like wildfire! Kids have been growing into leaders as they study and read God’s Word together.  Our own kids are learning to share the gospel and recognizing the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in their own lives. Starting a Students Standing Strong club has been a gift.  We’re learning to serve others together.
Stacy, Mother

Every part of the club is fun! I love leading the games, teaching the lesson, and hanging out with friends!  Gunner, 6th grade

Every school should have an S3 club. Some students have a hard time making friends in class. But at our S3 club they have fun with other kids and make friends. S3 gives students who are having a hard week something to look forward to.
Molly, 5th grade

I love that our family is part of S3! I meet lots of older kids and make new friends!
Wyatt, 2nd grade

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!'” Isaiah 6:8

My S3 Story started with me saying, “Yes” to God’s calling in a surprising and unconventional way. I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me during the summer to serve the youth at our church. As I began praying for guidance, God led me through a series of unique circumstances.

First, I said, “Yes,” to God calling me to clean the bathrooms at our church’s summer youth conference. I was definitely confused why God would want me to serve on the custodial team, but I trusted God and signed up. At the conference, the speaker spoke on heavy topics that face our youth. As the young girls responded to the speaker, they became emotional and some sought refuge in the restroom. God had me in the girls’ bathroom at just the right time and used me to minister to these young teens and offer them the hope of Jesus.

After the conference, I felt stirred by God to continue serving youth in my community. My children and I attended their school’s “See you at the Pole” rally. The principal noticed me and called me after the meeting. He told me how he wanted the school to have a student-led Bible club and asked me to help support the students in starting an S3 club. 

I prayed with my family and agreed to help lead the club. We got started in the spring with my son as the main student leader.  Together our motto was, “Reach one, teach one.” The club started small, but we were trusting God with growth. We believed even if only one student showed up, God would be glorified and the student ministered to. My “Yes” to God’s calling is letting me join with God to impact the youth in my community and further God’s Kingdom purposes. 

I hope God will use my story to reach you and teach you what can happen when we listen to God and answer His call.

-Jitendra

Hello, I’m John. My wife Nancy and I have chosen to give to Students Standing Strong (S3) for many years because we believe that God will honor the study of His Word in the public schools. Our youth are our future, and we feel these students need the hope that S3 brings through God’s Word.  We also want them to stand strong in their faith so that as they grow, they will have good moral values and integrity. With the decline in moral values, and the increase in suicides, it is so important to let these kids know that they are deeply loved by God.

We also know that the money we donate is used very carefully. We have seen how the leadership of S3 has been able to stretch a buck and how God has been able to reach so many hurting people with the donations we have given to S3. 

Additionally, the fact that the meetings are led by other students is amazing. Hopefully, the students will have each other to stand with them when they are under pressure to yield to temptation or when they need to take a stand for their Christian faith and values.

One day, when we get to heaven, we know we will be able to see the precious lives we have helped in a small way through our part in S3.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21