Not sure

Hey folks,

So I'm not sure what to write about today. But I promised a post every two weeks, so here goes. For my Old Testament class I've been writing an essay on the purpose of the laws in the Pentateuch. Which has actually been fairly interesting. I've enjoyed seeing how the laws are to teach us how to relate to God and to each other, and not to save us. But I think so often we try and live by the idea that the law saves us. So we strive harder and harder to please God, trying to do all those things we think we have to do, and keep failing and keep beating ourselves up. And we keep driving a wedge between us and God.
Because we can never get to God through the law. We can only be saved by what Christ has done for us on the cross. Not that the laws aren't important. They are: but they don't save us. So it's not much from me today, but hopefully it's an encouragement. We can never save ourselves.

Time with Tim:

January to March

I hope this finds you three months into a good year. I know I’m having a good year,
thanks to God and you guys. My internship has been going well so far. The church
staff went on staff retreat a couple of months ago and it was a really good way to start
off the year. I’m starting to learn what ministry from the other side is like (there’s still
a lot to learn!). Here are some highlights:

Children’s ministry

At the moment I’ve been given the opportunity to help plan a JAM group for years
five and six at Castle Hill Public School. JAM is Jesus and Me and is a Christian kid’s
club run at lunchtime. Hopefully this will be an opportunity to reach non-Christian
kids as well. This will kick off once a month from term two.

Youth

This is the area in which I spend the most time, which makes a lot of sense since this
is where I’m interning! It’s been a learning process coming onboard and starting to
work with Rod and Amy (the youth pastors). I’ve enjoyed the learning process and it
has been great to see the other side of youth ministry, as opposed to volunteering.
One of the areas that I’ve particularly enjoyed starting to work in is our D-teams
(small groups for our teenagers). At the moment we’re looking at planning a
curriculum for them, and I’m helping with that, and it’s been a good way to use the
skills I’ve learnt at university. I’ve also had the opportunity to start meeting up with
D-team coaches and seeing how they are going and if there is anything we can help
them out with; also to encourage them and pray with them.
At Crossfire (our youth group) I’ve been co-coordinating year six. This has been a
real joy. The kids that come are delightful, they listen well, they bring friends, and it
is such a privilege and a blessing to spend time with them. Just as much of joy has
been the team of leaders I’m working with. My co year coordinator is just fantastic, a
genius with kids and full of enthusiasm. The other leaders all bring a servant heart,
great ideas and a passion for sharing Jesus ever week and are a real encouragement.
We’ve had a great term so far and are looking forward to next term!
I also had the opportunity to preach at Crossfire and as far I can see it went well. It
was a great way to learn more about God’s word as I prepared the talk, and read and
I’ve also had the opportunity to do scripture seminars at Castle Hill High, and that’s
been good as well, but also difficult as well. It is an excellent opportunity to get to
spend time with non-Christians and tell them about the Gospel; it can be frustrating
when you’ve got a group of twenty kids in a noisy hall and struggle to chat with them.

Other Stuff

I lead a young men’s group and it’s been great to kick that off again this term.
Preparing and thinking about studies that will challenge them is another great way to
grow in the word. They also really keep me on the ball with their questions!
At church I’ve gotten to service direct a couple of times, and while it’s not a difficult
job it was interesting to see how everything tied together, and how much of a job it
was to get a church service going. I wish I’d been told that it was my job to start the
service, before the service started, though!

As interns we also get to do group training. At the moment we’ve been looking at
atonement and Biblical theology with Keith, and we also had preaching training with

Tim Hawkins which was a great learning experience.

Things to pray for
: God’s blessing with such a great year six team.
: Continued humility for what God has and is doing in me.
: An ability to communicate with the kids at Castle Hill High


Thanks for taking the time to read and pray.
Tim.collison@stpaulscastlehill.org.au
Learningtobeaservant.blogspot.com
P.S. Hopefully next letter there will be some photos