Have you ever cringed while watching what your volunteer leaders are doing (or not doing) during their discussions with students? You may have even found yourself wishing that God had brought you better volunteers. But maybe with a bit more help, the volunteers you have could be exactly the ones your students need.
It’s been said that any adult who loves Jesus, loves teens, and is authentic will make a great youth leader. While those are excellent starting characteristics, I’d add to that list: 1) can pass a background check, 2) is well-trained, and 3) receives continual encouragement! The good news is that those last two characteristics are within your control. Here are some practical tips that you, as the head leader of the group, should be sure to address proactively to train your volunteers to be awesome.
Starting Off Right
Though many aspects of youth ministry likely come naturally to you, that may not be true of all your volunteers. Make sure they understand these basic concepts right from the beginning, and remind them of them often:
- Talk to the students far more than you talk to the other adult leaders. Teens can be intimidating to talk to, but engage with them courageously even if they don’t look like they want to talk. Make sure to learn and remember their names.
- Ask the students about their lives. Inquire about what they like to do with their free time, what their family is like, and what they’re passionate about.
- Ask them about random things. Try this-or-that questions, favorites questions, would-you-rather questions, and so on.
- Ask them about spiritual things. Ask students what God is teaching them or what things about Him seem confusing. (Of course, equip your leaders with how to share the Gospel!)
- Allow for awkward pauses in discussions. These are natural, whether in a group or one on one—often students are just processing.
- Don’t force a student to do anything. Don’t make them play a game, pray, answer a question, etc.—but do encourage progress.
- Be awkwardly friendly to them. In time they’ll realize that you like them and are trustworthy.
- Listen and guide more than teach during the discussion. The students’ words should take up more of the time than the leader’s words.
- Don’t feel pressure to just get through all the questions. Growth and connection are the goals, not a checklist.
Addressing Pitfalls
The unpredictable nature of teenagers can cause a lot of anxiety in your leaders. Regularly coach them on common situations like these:
When a student answers with heresy
We’ve all been there: A student says something totally off-base from the truth of the Bible. What do you do? In this case, you might want to start with making sure your volunteers know what not to do:
- Don’t get in an argument with the student.
- Don’t embarrass them.
- Don’t cut them off right away.
Then follow up with helping your leaders know what to do:
- Lovingly listen.
- Ask curious questions about why the student thinks that.
- Gently remind the group that all truth comes from the Bible.
- Share the biblical perspective in humility.
- Use Bible verses to illustrate the truth if possible.
When some students talk too much and some don’t talk at all during group discussion
This is a very common situation, so make sure your volunteers know to expect this. Encourage them to purposefully include the quieter students by asking them by name to answer a question. They can also ask a question and then go around the circle, encouraging everyone to give an answer.
When students are openly defiant, having side conversations during group time, or on their phones too much
Make sure you have a strategy in place for these situations and that your volunteers know what it is and how to use it. Common solutions include using humor to deflect the situation, involving the head leader, having a clear policy on phone usage, and asking the student to stay after group to talk things through and find out what’s causing their behavior.
Generating Growth
Every leader wants to know they’re making a difference, but often in the week-to-week it’s difficult to see real growth in their students. Encourage your volunteers often and help them increase their effectiveness by teaching them to incorporate these moments in their interactions with students:
- Remember students’ prayer requests and follow up with them.
- Invite students to participate in group studies by having them take turns reading Bible verses out loud and praying.
- Add time in your discussions for intercessory prayer.
- Clarify the Gospel often. Don’t just assume that students are saved!
- Regularly encourage students to share the Gospel with their friends and family who don’t know Jesus, and to share stories with the group when they do.
- Help them understand how to read the Bible on their own.
The skill of your volunteers ultimately impacts the effectiveness of your whole ministry, so be sure to invest significant time and energy in coaching and encouraging your leaders. Then watch as Jesus begins to work wonders and increase your fruitfulness!
