Helping Teenagers Experience the Body of Christ
That is the mystery and the gift of relational discipleship. We bring ourselves, imperfect and inadequate as we are, and God uses our presence to make himself known.
The most valuable thing you bring into your youth room this week is not your budget. It is your presence, your honesty, and the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed by people who love students enough to know their names.

That is the mystery and the gift of relational discipleship. We bring ourselves, imperfect and inadequate as we are, and God uses our presence to make himself known.
Jesus recognized the way activities can feed deeper conversations. Enter the chaos and camaraderie of summer children’s and youth ministry with anticipation and prayer. Jesus served powerfully side-by-side, next to a lake, over meals, and in casual conversation, too!
We ought to care about what we are teaching and making accessible—where it’s from, why we’re choosing it, and what it will produce. We cannot control the “eating habits” of our church families, but we can take care with what we serve.
With any teenager, Asian American or otherwise, we should seek to know them for who they are. We should learn about their lives as we ultimately seek to share the gospel and disciple them in it.
As youth pastors, we desire to help shepherd students’ hearts to love the Lord and believe in Jesus. Spiritual highs are not our enemy, but a means by which we can disciple our students.
Your students need to know that when they face challenges, God is still worthy of their trust. He’s still in control, and he’s still working. (Is. 46:10; Rom. 8:28).