Getting to a Faith that’s Real

Are your students really getting it? Are they owning their faith, or are they just playing the part in front of their parents or friends? How can you help give your students a firsthand relationship with Christ that will last for a lifetime? In our experience growing up and working in youth ministry, we’ve discovered three core disciplines that can take your students beyond secondhand knowledge of God to a vibrant firsthand relationship with Him.

Get Real

Teenagers are some of the most guarded people on earth, and they hide a lot of secret struggles and pain. Many students are afraid to reveal their true hearts for fear of being hurt or taken advantage of. Take the first step by admitting you don’t have all the answers and revealing your weaknesses. By taking the first step towards honesty you will immediately see students lower their guard and slowly begin to meet you halfway. Dare your students to drop the mask they put up on a daily basis and risk connecting with the people in their small group. The truth is that our security and identity are found, not in our ability to hide our shame, but in God’s unconditional mercy.

Trash the Checklist

In high school, we were the kids with all the right answers when it came to Christianity. We read our Bibles everyday, prayed before every meal, and invited friends to church every weekend. We had the Christian checklist down but our souls were empty. God doesn’t want us to bring Him a list, He wants our hearts. A firsthand relationship is one built on quality time and a loving heart, not a list of do’s and don’ts. Challenge your students to trash the checklist they’re trying so hard to keep up with and just start talking to Him like they would a friend.

Step Outside the Comfort Zone

This generation of students is one of the most socially minded we’ve ever seen. They care about people around the world and want to see change. But sometimes they get so focused on the people in need around the world that they miss the people in need right next door. You don’t have to go to the other side of the world to be the difference in someone’s life, you just have to keep your eyes and heart open. Challenge your students not to miss a chance to reach out to the hurting kid down the hall or the neighbor across the street. Organize a mission weekend where instead of a regular service the entire student ministry becomes the hands and feet of Christ in your community.