I am honored to lead the Resources Division at LifeWay and serve with a team of leaders who are passionate to serve the Church in her mission of making disciples. Each Wednesday, I share the heart behind one of the resources our team has developed and give an opportunity for you to register to win a free copy of the resource. This week’s resource is a Bible Studies for Life (BSFL) Students Spring 2018 Bundle Pack that includes 1 Leader Guide and 8 Personal Study Guides. Our Students team helped write this post.
A great student ministry is an immeasurably valuable influence in the lives of students today. However, as important as a healthy student ministry can be, parents are more so. And they are ultimately responsible for raising their kids and cultivating within them the desire to follow God. Wise student ministry leaders seek ways to connect parents with the ministry, so here are a few ways to keep parents engaged.
1. Communication is Key
There has never been a great relationship without excellent communication, and this definitely applies to parents of the students you are serving. Student pastors serve families, not just students. So keep parents in the loop through regular communication. A weekly email is common, but regardless of the medium, highlight the ways God is at work, give plenty of advance notice on upcoming events, and regularly communicate your strategy for discipling the students. Part of communication is, of course, listening. Listening to the parents of the students helps you understand them, their needs, and what is going on in the lives of their students from their perspective.
2. Invite Parents to Lead
Among your student ministry parents, there are a variety of gifts, all of which can be utilized to impact the students and the overall student ministry. Couples who volunteer in the student ministry give a beautiful picture of marriage and family to the students who are watching. Whether they lead a group, help with the weekly service, or volunteer for special events, encourage them and provide training so they are equipped to lead and serve well.
3. Build a Parent Prayer Team
Teaching students to love God is a spiritual endeavor which requires the Spirit’s intervention and prayer is essential. Involve parents in praying for the students in the student ministry, whether through prayer requests shared digitally or a regular time of praying together.
To communicate your discipleship strategy to parents, you need to have a discipleship strategy through your groups. Our student ministry team designed Bible Studies for Life Students around an intentional discipleship path and we would love to help you disciple your students intentionally. For more information on the discipleship strategy beneath BSFL Students, click here.
Register here or in the form below by 11:59pm tonight, Wednesday, January 3, 2018 to be 1 of 6 people to win a BSFL Students Spring 2018 Giveaway Pack. The pack includes 1 Leader Guide and 8 Personal Study Guides for teen small groups. You can also purchase curriculum at lifeway.com/biblestudiesforlife, 800.458.2772, or at LifeWay Christian Stores.
