BUS WORKERS

I am frequently asked why or how I have made it in the Christian life. Now, let me say that I have not made it but I am where I am today by the grace of God and because of faithful bus workers. Many bus workers are only a few years older and in some cases younger than their teens. The number one thing that a bus worker has to overcome in working with the bus teens is becoming intimidated by them. Dont stereotype your bus teens: 1. They are unruly and cannot be controlled. 2. They do not trust or believe anyone. 3. They are dirty and sloppy 4. They cannot learn Gods Word Four facts about our bus teens: 1. They have questions and want answers from you 2. They will trust you but it will take time. 3. They will become the most excited riders on your bus route. 4. They will become extremely loyal to you. Too many times, bus workers seek to change a young person from the outside instead of the inside. Teens who have grown up in dysfunctional families will readily change on the outward because it makes them feel like the worker is approving of his change. The teen will return to his learned behavior and actions as soon as he is tired of dressing the part. We do not change these young people through long periods of psychological counseling, trying to manipulate them to change their behavior, they are changed through the Word of God, Psalm 119:9,11 These young people need the right kind of relationships. Too many teens develop a relationship with a place but not a person. The same kids who will come to church, will smoke at church, curse at church and misbehave at church. They are coming to a place and not to a person! They need to come to the Person of Christ in their lives. 1. They need a relationship with you. Now, I did not get my order wrong. Some are saying that they need a relationship with Christ first and I agree but in most cases they will only hear and know of Christ because of you. a. Be consistent in your life b. Answer them with scripture c. Teach them, dont always preach to them d. Teach them to be accountable to you 2. They need a relationship with Christ Make sure they understand Salvation- getting saved does not remove the hurt, but it opens a great door to help with the hurts in their lives. a. Teach them to tell God all their problems. Too many times they will tell the worker everything but they will leave God out. b. Teach them how to increase their faith and how to seek and give forgiveness. c. Teach them to break the cycle of unclean spirits in their lives. 3. They need a relationship with the church. a. They need to be involved in every part of the church program. b. They need to build relationships with the Pastor and his family. c. They need to use the resources that the church has available for them. d. They need to share their testimonies and victories. The influence of a bus worker in my life was not readily noticed, but years later I am very aware