My Favorite Lads to Leaders Event
It may seem like an odd time to post something about Lads to Leaders, since the national convention was just a couple of weeks ago and the vast majority of folks do not think about starting for the next year for several months.
But I want to share with you something today that will, hopefully, challenge families and youth groups to work on one event. It is my favorite event of the entire program, even if it is one that does not get the “buzz” some others do.
What is it? Centurion of Scripture.
If you are unfamiliar, Centurion of Scripture requires students to memorize 100 verses of the Bible in a year. That’s it. That’s the entirety of the award.
Yet very few participate. Why? The most common two excuses I have gotten over 20+ years of going to Lads to Leaders are (1) “it’s too hard” and (2) “I’m not good at memorizing.”
Is it hard? Yes! But it is so worth it. (And, by the way, keep in mind that a student only has to memorize one verse at a time to get an award.)
At this year’s convention, Mary Carol and Turner both received “deca” awards, as they have memorized 100 verses per year for 10 years. I actually shed a tear because my mind flashed back to all the arguments, fusses, and (yes) tears at trying to get all those verses done. But, now, they know 1000 verses of God’s Word. Is it worth it to know that so much of the Bible is now just part of their mindset and thinking? You better believe it!
We challenge children and young people all the time. We expect them to memorize line after line for a school play. We make sure they learn states and capitals. We are upset when they haven’t memorized a list of words and definitions or dates and events for a test at school.
But when it comes to memorizing God’s Word, we just think it’s too hard.
Let me ask…
Which of those types of things will help them not sin against God (Psalm 119:11)?
Which of those helps to make them complete and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17)?
By which will they be judged on the last day (John 12:48)?
I would love to see every family and every youth group do this together. Start now. After all, you’ve got months and months to work on it together. What a sense of accomplishment if your entire youth group walked up on stage together, knowing you had all put more of God’s Word in your heart!
(By the way, to help you, we produce short “Kids Bible Verse” songs on YouTube from time-to-time. Check out that playlist here.)
Make the effort. Work through the frustrations and tears. Why? Because there is nothing any young person could put in their mind that will ever be more valuable than the Word of God.
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn