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Discussions That Help Students Share

Sometimes a student will reveal something monumental in their lives that we’ll need to help them through. Conversations I’ve had or other leaders have told me about include such topics as drug use, gender identity, sexual impurity, abuse, thoughts of suicide, among others. These can catch any youth worker off guard. However, it’s always an honor to be trusted enough by a student for them to reveal such big issues. When we know how to help them share, we can make experience easier for them.

Knowing What To Own When Communicating With Parents

By Dennis Beckner

I’m bringing in 5 new students into my small group in the Fall. We’ve been spending a lot of time together this summer getting to know each other. One of the issues that’s come up is the city curfew which is 11:00 for drivers who have had their driver license for less than a year. Some of the boys are in that category and have not been making it home on time. The other night one was stopped by the police and let off with a warning.

Being an Easy Example for Your Students to Follow

By Dennis Beckner

Tonight I saw two of our students at Taco Bell hanging out with another kid I didn’t know.

After a few minutes of chit chat about their fishing trip that day and seeing picture, I turn to the kid I didn’t know and started this conversation:

Holding Students Accountable for Small Group Attendance

By Dennis Beckner

Caution: I wouldn’t recommend doing this with students you don’t have a solid relationship with.

I have a small group student who has become very lazy about attending small group. It’s a little ironic because he lives just a couple of streets over from where we meet. Others who have to drive a much longer distance, however, never miss.