Challenging the Students That Get It

By Doug Franklin May 31, 2013

So much is written about how to motivate and lead the students that are struggling that we lose focus on challenging the students that are growing. It’s really hard for me to say this but, spending time with your students that are growing may have more impact that spending time with students that are struggling. Some may say that the calling of the church is for the sick that the healthy and I would say that there is some truth in that statement. Obviously Jesus spent his time with those that were hurting but you could also argue that Jesus spent his time with people who hard open hearts, people that were ready to grow and accept challenge. I think we make a huge mistake when we don’t focus sometime on “good kids”. When we focus on good students we have to make sure its not because its easier that tough kids but we do it because we are able to challenge them. We want them to reach out into their world and be salt and light so we need to challenge them or push them to make a difference in other students lives. Here are a few ideas to challenge students who “get it”

1. Challenge the good
Help them see what they are good at. Mentor them by explain how God has gifted them and challenge them to use their gifts for the benefit of their peers. Help them see ways they can serve their fellow students and push them to get out of their comfort zone and into the trust God zone.

2. Challenge the distractions
Many “good” students have distractions that keep them from making impact. Help your students see the distractions and the price they are paying every time they give in to the distraction. Call them out and ask them to be accountable for their lack of impact. When students see the price they are paying for their behavior it will make them stop and think.

3. Challenge the dream
Many “good” students are just getting through school. Challenge them to dream about doing something great for God. Challenge them to leave a mark on their school for their God. Push them to be more than present, challenge them to listen to God’s calling and make a difference. Leadership changes everything, without them leading everything stays the same. Ask them what big dream God has for them.