humbled by teenagers

So I have a few questions for you today? First of all, have you ever been in a situation where you thought you knew everything you needed to know, and you had everything you needed to have to tackle that particular situation? You know the feeling, "I've got it all together", full confidence in yourself. Secondly, have you ever worked in or taught youth ministry to anyone?
I was about 20 years old, Dell Cook came to me and asked me to teach youth Sunday School. I'm sure he had heard from Frank Northcutt my pastor at the time that I had felt called into theministry. I had spent several hours talking with Frank, and discussing it all with him. Dell, was the youth pastor at the church during those times and I spent a lot of time talking with him and sharing with him as well. I answered with a resounding yes! I was excited about my first opportunity to do youth since I had led it in highschool at my former church.
I prepared, and prepared, and prepared each week for Sunday school. I would come up with a cool topic, jot down enough verses and study up on those verses each week in preparation for the group that would walk into Sunday School that day. Enter, the imfamous Michael Hudnall, "micky" we called him then. He would challenge every thought, question every verse and leave me feeling totally inadequate and unprepared. How could this happen? How could I prepare for over 3 hours during the week only to be ripped to shreds in less than 20 minutes. No matter how much I prepared, how much I studied he found a loophole each week. Most of the other kids didn't pick up on it, but my wounded pride walked out of there each week. By the way, he was in middle school at the time.
Isaiah 5:21 says, "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight."
THere you have it, I was wise in my own eyes and clever in my own sight. The closer I grew to God, the more studying I did, and the more credit and insight I sought from God the better I got. I learned to focus on God, to use Him as the central focus rather than some witty thoughts or cool illustrations. I realized that my job was to exemplify Christlikeness, and not knowledge and wisdom. As I realized that, the class went better, and the kids responded even better. Sure, there were still those "Micky moments", but they became fewer and fewer. I don't know if it was because I was doing better, or if it was because I was focusing on them less but there was a definite change.
So, in closing don't think of yourself and your abilities or knowledge too highly. If you do find yourself doing that, go teach a group of teenagers for a while they will bring you to your knees with or without a micky hudnall. Keep the focus on GOd, on His glory and off your own abilities and you will be a far greater blessing to them than you can imagine.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!