The classroom at the community center was buzzing with noise. Kids laughed, shouted, and tossed paper balls into a makeshift basketball hoop while a couple of volunteers tried unsuccessfully to restore order. Claude stood by the door, holding a stack of papers and watching the chaos unfold.
He felt his stomach churn. He had been coming to this youth group for years, always sitting in the back of the room, soaking in the lessons shared by Mr. Tsikata, the group’s leader. Mr. Tsikata had an easy way of connecting with the kids, always knowing exactly what to say. But now, it was Claude’s turn to lead, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was completely unprepared.
Earlier that week, Mr. Tsikata had pulled Claude aside.
“Claude,” he said with a warm smile, “you’ve got a gift for connecting with these kids. Why don’t you lead next week’s session?”
Claude had laughed nervously. “Me? No way. I’m not ready for that. What if I mess it up?”
Mr. Tsikata had placed a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to know everything. Just share what you’ve learned. Trust me, Claude, you’re ready for this.”
Now, standing in front of a room full of middle schoolers throwing paper balls, Claude wasn’t so sure Mr. Tsikata was right. He cleared his throat, hoping to get their attention, but his voice felt small.
“Uh… hey, everyone. Can we… um… start?”
No one even looked in his direction. He could feel his face heating up, and for a moment, he considered slipping out the door and pretending this never happened.
Then he caught sight of Mr. Tsikata, who was leaning against the wall at the back of the room. He gave Claude a small nod and mouthed, “You’ve got this.”
Claude took a deep breath. He walked to the front of the room, grabbed a basketball from a nearby shelf, and slammed it down on the table. The loud thud startled the kids, and they turned to look at him.
“Alright,” Claude said, his voice louder this time. “If you’re ready to listen, I’ll make this quick. Otherwise, I can just sit here and wait while you all keep acting like little kids.”
A few kids snickered, but they quieted down. Claude felt a flicker of confidence.
He started slowly, sharing a story from his own life.
“You know,” he began, “when I was your age, I wasn’t much different from you. I didn’t want to listen to anyone. I thought I had everything figured out. But then I met someone who changed my life.”
The kids leaned in slightly, curious.
“Mr. Tsikata,” he said, glancing back at his mentor. “He saw something in me I didn’t see in myself. He taught me how to stay strong when life got tough. He taught me about faith, accountability, and how to keep going even when things didn’t make sense.”
Claude paused, feeling the weight of his words. “And now, I want to pass that on to you. Because one day, you’re going to be the ones helping someone else. What you learn here isn’t just for you, it’s something you can share with others.”
The kids were quiet now, their eyes glued to him.
Claude handed out the papers, he’d brought questions for small group discussions. He walked around the room, checking in with the groups as they talked about what it meant to help others, to lead by example, and to trust in God’s grace.
One kid, Kwame, looked up at him and said, “So, you’re saying we’re supposed to, like, teach other people? Even if we don’t know everything?”
Claude smiled. “Exactly. You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. You just have to care enough to try.”
By the end of the hour, the chaos of the earlier session had been replaced with thoughtful conversations. As the kids filed out of the room, Claude felt someone tap his shoulder.
It was Kwame. “Hey,” he said, shuffling his feet awkwardly. “Thanks for today. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a leader, but… I think I get what you mean. I’ll try.”
Claude smiled as Kwame ran off to join his friends. For the first time, he understood what Mr. Tsikata had meant. Leading wasn’t about being perfect. It was about showing up, being available, sharing what you’ve learned, and trusting God to do the rest.
That night, Claude sat at home and thought about how far he’d come. When he first joined the youth group, he’d been shy, reserved, and unsure of himself. But Mr. Tsikata had seen his potential and poured time and energy into mentoring him.
Now, it was Claude’s turn to do the same. He realized that what Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 wasn’t just about passing on knowledge, it was about investing in people, believing in them, and trusting that they would carry the torch forward.
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:1-2
Lessons from Claude’s Story
- You Don’t Have to Be Perfect
- Like Claude, the fear of not being “ready” can hold us back. But leading and mentoring isn’t about perfection; it’s about being available and willing to share what you’ve learned.
- Investing in Others Matters
Just like Mr. Tsikata invested in Claude, we’re called to pour into others. The lessons we teach can have a ripple effect, impacting people far beyond what we can see.
- God’s Grace is Enough
Paul reminded Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ. When we lean on God’s strength, we find the courage to step into roles we never thought we could handle.
May you find the courage to lead and mentor, trusting in God’s grace to guide you. May the lessons you’ve learned become seeds that grow in the lives of others, and may you see the ripple effect of your investment in time.
“Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:1
Heavenly Father, thank You for the people who have poured into my life and taught me Your ways. Help me to share what I’ve learned with others, even when I feel unprepared or unsure. Give me the courage to lead, the humility to keep learning, and the grace to trust You with the results. In Jesus Name, Amen.
May you always find strength in God’s grace to pass on what you’ve learned!
