Purpose of the Safety Patrol

Jesus…said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Props: safety patrol belt and badge

Have a helper come forward and model the safety patrol belt and badge.  You may even want to have him/her model the actions you describe (flaunting authority vs. helping the other students). 

Many of you have seen the safety patrol in action at your school.  Does anyone know the reason for the safety patrol? (Allow for response).   The reason some kids are on safety patrol is to help protect the other students and keep them safe.  In order to do that, the kids on safety patrol are given some power.  They have the power to tell the other kids to get back in line or to slow down and stop running in the halls.  They also have the power to report any bad behavior to the teachers.  But there is a reason for their power.  They aren’t given power just to make them better than the other kids.  Their power is not given to them so that they can boss everyone else around, or so that they can tease the other kids and say, “Ha, ha, you have to listen to me!” 

            Some of you may be on the safety patrol.  Whether you are or aren’t, God has given or will give you a certain amount of power.  You may end up serving on the Junior Leadership team of KIDS Church.  Maybe you will be a leader on a sports team or in the student government of your middle school or high school.  God may have plans for you to grow up to be the president of a large company or the pastor of a church. 

He does have incredible plans for you, but there’s one thing you have to remember: when God gives you power, He wants you to use it to help people.  Power can help or hurt people.  Make up your mind that you are going to use your power to help others.  If you’re on the safety patrol, do your best and help make your school safer.  If you’re a leader on your sports team, people will look up to you.  Think of ways to bring your team together and make it the best team possible.  And one of the best ways to use your power is to be a leader and a positive example to your friends and family.     

Everyone has some power—some have lots, some just a little.  Use your power to help others.