Ways to Connect with Students for Leaders

Time outside the church with students can be one of the greatest times of relationship development. Josh Griffin on his blog this week had a guest blogger with some great ideas about how to connect with students outside of church. Parents can even use this to get involved in their student's lives. These 12 ways to connect are divided into three main categories, each category moving to a deeper level of relationship.

Ways to meet new kids and hang out with current youth group kids
1. Volunteer coach a sport at a local school – Coaching gives you a chance to meet dozens of kids. I had the opportunity to coach track this past Spring and I still have kids who call or text me for advice or just want to talk.
4. Tutor for free – Some schools have after school tutoring, volunteer for that in a subject you know well.

Connect and develop relationships with kids
5. Ride with a sports team to away games – Great idea from the guys over at YL Help
6. Help a student work on a project or hobby – Especially helpful during science fair season, or other big school projects. Participating in their personal hobbies are great ways to connect, too.

Disciple kids/transfer life skills to kids

11. Invite a student to help you lead a certain event, then evaluate it afterward – This is a great way to transfer leadership skills through hands-on learning. For example, I invited one kid to help me lead a video game night, asking him to consider “What do video games have to do with Jesus?” During our debrief time (which ended up going just as long as our video game time) we talked about video games as a means to build relationships and how relationships are key to evangelism and discipleship. I bet he learned more through that experience than any youth talk.

12. Be a student of God and invite a kid to learn with you – Pray with a kid, or listen to a sermon together, or read the Bible together. Be an avid learner and invite kids along to learn with you.

There are plenty of other ways to connect with kids. How are you planning to develop relationships with kids this new school year?

Nick Arnold is the youth pastor at New Hope Community Church in Sunland, CA. Hit up his blog at http://ministryallies.com and his Twitter @nickarnold.

Click Here to see the complete list. Tons of great ideas.

Prayer Can it Really Change Things?

I believe it can. Prayer is the most powerful communication device to speak with and hear from God. I wonder what would happen if students began to become burdened in prayer for their friends, classmates, administration, and campuses. What if everyday of the week all over the country student were praying for their schools. Watch the video below and then click the link below to see how you can begin to intercede for your campus.

Claim Your Campus from Ryan Humm on Vimeo.

Claim Your Campus is a movement of students praying for their schools.

Will you join the movement?

Student Drop Out Rate and How Parents can Help

One of the most disturbing things about church is how fast students are leaving "it" after they graduate from high school. The topic of student drop out is huge in the student ministry sector. If you haven't heard about this problem before I want to enlighten you about this problem. I feel at this point parents have the greatest ability to help break this trend. I believe as we partner together to help students learn how to know what they believe, serve others, share their faith and disciple others person this epidemic could be overrun. Check out this article about how parents can make a difference in this fight.

Is this the first time you have heard about this problem?

How does it make you feel as a parent or student?

Have you seen this happen to anyone you know?

This Sunday at RPM & Fuel Groups

This sunday, August 16, we start a new series called: NEXT

This will be our first time back together on sunday nights. I hope you will come and invite a friend. It will be a great time to hang out and learn more about the one who made us. Doors open at 4:45pm. The snack shack will be back in full force with drinks, chips, and candy for purchase. We will have a new check in system up and ready to go. We will kick off with worship in the auditorium at 5:15pm and then head to fuel groups after that at around 7:15pm. If you bring a guest or you are a guest you get to go to the After Party. This will be a great time to get to know people without the pressure to share your deepest secrets and to find out more about 72students.net. Everything will end around 7pm. I really want to encourage you to come and bring a friend. It will be a great time as we kick the student ministry year.

Reason's to Come to the Parent.Student Connection

Reasons to Come to the Parent.Student Connection

• Free Food
• Great Conversation
• Find Out More Info about 72students
• Get the Inside Scoop
• Get to meet the fuel leaders
• Get to meet the other leaders
• Get to meet other parents and students
• Learn more about your student(s)
• Vision for the future
• Programming Info

If any of these interest you please come. No reservations necessary unless you need child care. Go to 72students.net to find out more.