Making the M.O.S.T.

No campus minister or student leader has ever said, “I want the Lord to use me in the most insignificant way possible and produce boringness within my soul.” 

We all desire, in one way or another, to know God, follow Christ, and make Him known. We want to see as many people as possible taste and see that the Lord is good and surrender their lives to Jesus. We love seeing the Lord of the harvest use the students in front of us to go into the least reached places of the world, led by the Spirit, with zealous passion and contagious joy. We long to hear His song within our hearts, giving us stability, peace and purposeful resolve to sing it back to Him among the nations. 

Being part of a Christ-exalting multiplying ministry is marked by many things, and “making the most of opportunities” is to be one of them. Our goal is not to be busy in just doing things, making much of ourselves and ministries, but in doing things with people that makes much of Jesus’ good news and the majesty of God for the lost and the found. But how can we make the most of our limited time with students, staff, and off-campus relationships? 

Here are some simple ways in which we can stir up ideas on how to make the most of opportunities the Lord has prepared for us to walk in. 

The focus is less about event ideas and macro strategies, but in how to think about our relational investments/opportunities with people. Discipleship has its broad sweeping content issues and strategies that need to be covered, but it will always need to be personalized and intentional. I believe this type of relating and discipleship influences students long after graduation and no longer being part of awesome campus ministries. To have graduates launched into churches far beyond our campuses, equipped in making the M.O.S.T. of opportunities brings me great hope and joy. May this simple tool be used to stir up some ideas and next steps for you and the people you are investing in!

M- My people. (Family, Disciples, Friends, Lost)
– Who do I specifically need to spend time with?
– What type of investment is most needed? (Talk, encouragement, next steps, fun, trip, prayer)
– Who are they? Keep getting to know them. Dreams, family, skills, strengths, weaknesses.
– Who do they need to be around? Multiple influence/cross-pollination.

O- Opportunities to serve (life on life)
-Get in the Word, read books
-Pray with/for them
-Share your faith together
-Meet a real-time need (You’ll know by asking questions)
-Be a listener

S- Spirit filled prayers (consistently)
-Take your plans to the Lord
-Take your people to the Lord
-Claim promises
-Act in faith and obedience

T- Thankful
-Look for ways to praise and thank the Lord, alone and with others.
-Find authentic ways to thank others
-Thank God for the specific opportunities and people He has placed in your circle(s) of influence to the praise of His glorious grace.

“‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” —Ephesians 5:14-20