HOW DO I HELP A STUDENT GROW IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

Not only will you have opportunities to lead students to Jesus, but you will also have opportunities to minister to them in other areas of their lives (family, anxieties/fears, relationships, sin/temptation, and more). God often uses people to minister to people. He has placed you as a leader in student's lives to minister to them! Many students face incredible difficulties in life, and it can feel overwhelming to know what to say and do.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the daunting task of helping someone else, especially a young person, grow in their relationship with God, you are not alone! The great news is, we don’t have to do this in our own strength. We can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside each of us as believers, to equip us to do everything God has called us to do.

Here are 5 practical ways for you to be equipped to minister to a student, no matter what they are facing. We encourage you to use the "Listen: ESPN" Approach.

1. Listen. The first way we can add value to students for the struggles they face is to be a safe place to listen to them. It is an incredible gift to a student to be listened to and understood by an adult leader. Ask open-ended questions to draw out what is going on in their life. Don't jump to solutions. Listen, listen, and listen some more. As you listen, be aware of body language and facial expressions. Smile and be compassionate, don't look shocked by what a student shares.
2. Encourage. Take time to encourage them. Tell them how much you love them and are proud of them, and how much God does too. Never underestimate the power of a genuine word of encouragement to a young person in need.
3. Bible. Use God's Word, not your opinion, as the answer. For any situation that a student brings to you, we always respond with the truth from God's Word, not our own opinion.
4. Prayer. Pray, using God's Word as the authority. When you pray, keep your eyes open so you can be aware of your surroundings and how God is ministering to the student you are praying with.
5. Next Step. Always point them to the next step. This could be a conversation with their parent, a habit to start forming, a scripture to memorize, etc. Make yourself available to them to reach out to you for prayer or encouragement.

QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF: Do you feel confident in helping a student grow in their relationship with God? Why?