This is Part two of “5 Things We Want our Student to Know. You can check out Part 1 here.
Matt: Okay so here goes, here’s my list:
- Be in a relationship with Jesus every day, not just on Sunday. If your relationship with Jesus is just while you’re at church you don’t really have a relationship. Find time to invite God into your life every day.
- Make time for a quiet time every day. This goes hand-in-hand with number one above. Quiet time gives you time to get into God’s word everyday and some intentional prayer time as well. It’s a time when you shut off the rest of the world and focus on God.
- Identity. Talk the talk and walk the walk. This is a great one for leaders to emulate to students. Let them see you don’t just preach to them about right and wrong but that you live your life as a Christian and by following biblical principles. Teach them to be a Christian no matter what setting they are in, and no matter what group of friends that are with.
- Set boundaries in your “stumble zones.” Students know what sin they have a problem with, teach them ways to avoid tempting times and set boundaries in their relationships. If porn is a problem then find out when you are most tempted and do everything you can to keep yourself busy during that time, have your accountability partner help you during the tough times. Set up XXXChurch.com on your computers and smart phones. If they have a girlfriend (or boyfriend for your female students) make sure they have set boundaries, and make sure they go out of their way to resist temptation. For example I tell my guys do not be at either of your houses when you know you will be alone or your parents are gone.
- It’s not all about you. Find serve projects and discover your spiritual gifts and talents and USE them. Serve projects help bring teenagers (and everyone for that matter) closer to God. We show our love for Jesus when we love and help others.
