Relational Youth Ministry

By Doug Franklin September 5, 2019

Many adult volunteers will often step into ministry to make a difference with students, but end up confused with their role. Often times adult volunteers want to be liked by students, so they cross the line between friend and mentor. In reality, students love friends, but they need mentors.  Below is a list of a few of the finer qualities taken from a mentor relationship. Think about what the student gains from having this kind of relationship with a leader.

Qualities of a Mentoring Relationship

1. The Hard Truth

Students will sometimes get honesty from their friends, but they need a leader who tells them the hard truth out of love. They need someone who sees God’s best for them and will work with them to bring it out.

2. Unconditional Love

Love is one of the most confusing and often misunderstood words to students. Leaders need to model what it looks like to love unconditionally. Start by telling students that you love them and that you won’t leave them, and then actually follow through on that promise. I often tell them that I am not like other adults because I will not let them stay the same, but will push them to grow.

3. Humble Honesty

Students will be blessed by having a leader who shares their life story with them, not someone who only preaches at them. Tell them the redemption story of your life. Allow them to see and understand your mistakes and let them know the peace you have from forgiveness.

4. Challenge

Paint a picture for students of what they can do for God. Let them see how God has used students to accomplish His goals. Help them understand what God wants to do in them and through them.

5. Selflessness

Students have one great love: themselves. It is a vital responsibility of the leaders to work at teaching their students the act of selflessness. By putting others’ needs first, leaders have the opportunity to consistently show students that life is about more than just themselves.

6. Value

Students are bombarded daily from every direction about who they should be in the eyes of the world: smart, attractive, wealthy, funny, etc. A leader who builds intentional relationships challenges them in areas that reach deeper. Remind students of their potential in Christ, show them what is important by how you spend your money and how you give your time.

7. Consistent

Empty promises are hard to forget. What if our students had a relationship with someone they knew they could always count on? Leaders who are consistent do what they say and keep their promises.

Ready to kick off a relational youth minstry? Try this set of questions to help generate discussion with your team of adult volunteers. 

Relational Youth Ministry Discussion Questions

• How do you think it would impact student small groups to have leaders that were friends? What about mentors?

• How can you tell if you have become too much of an authoritarian with your students and not compassionate?

• How can you tell if you have become too much of a friend to your students and not enough of a mentor?

• What is the one of the seven things we discussed earlier that you feel you need the most work on? What areas do you feel you are already doing well in?