Leaders of Students of Faith

Freshmen keep coming when someone knows them. This year, your main job is to be there, at church and in their world.

• Get there early so you have a few extra minutes to talk before group starts.
• Ask to be invited to a game or a performance. If you miss it, ask how it went anyway.
• Remember the test they were nervous about, and ask about it the next week.

Pick 9th in Groups and your group sees one short line under each group question: listen to each other first. Every reading adds a star to your group sky, with no names and no ranking.

This is the year for honest conversations, in group and one on one. Follow your church's guidelines for leaders and student ministry, including time one on one.

• Over the year, talk through the big areas of life, from who Jesus is to home life and friends.
• Go gently with the harder ones, like parties, drinking and dating. Ask first, and listen before you give advice.
• Let anyone pass on a question. Trust built in 9th grade is what makes these talks possible.

Pick 10th and each group question comes with the same short nudge: share as much or as little as you want about where this shows up for you.

Juniors start building habits of their own during the week, from prayer and Bible reading to serving.

• Walk through a month of prayer with each student, a few minutes a day.
• Read one chapter together each week, then talk about it in group.
• Ask for feedback every few months and change things based on what you hear. It helps them own the group.

Each reading is about 5 minutes on their own, and every one adds a star to your group sky. Pick 11th and each group question asks them to take one thing into their own week. New readings Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Seniors can lead by serving. Help them welcome the freshmen and make a plan for church in college.

• When a new student comes, ask a senior to be their welcome buddy and sit next to them. Thank them afterward so they do it again.
• Let students lead the discussion. If they want a group chat or a dinner, set it up the way your church's guidelines ask.
• Before graduation, help each one find a church near where they're headed.

Pick 12th and each group question ends with thinking of someone younger to bring in. Groups also has a "start a sky for the freshmen" link your seniors can send to a 9th grade group.