As youth workers look back on a summer of ministry, no doubt the time included crazy events, activities, and memorable experiences with students. For many, summer also includes attending camps, mission trips, and other Gospel Advancing trips or experiences that involve the 7 Values.
By God’s grace, experiences like these can transform the lives of your students, your ministry, and even yourself and fellow adult leaders for the Kingdom. These moments and changes need to be celebrated and highlighted, but how do you clearly communicate what happened on these trips to those who didn’t attend? More specifically, how do you help the parents of your students understand the changes that happened during an event such as Lead THE Cause? And how do you equip and resource parents to disciple their son or daughter more effectively?
As my adult leaders and I have seen the positive impact of these experiences on our students, we’ve implemented some intentional strategies to include their parents as well. Here are three ways to help parents understand your Gospel Advancing vision and plans. as well as invite them (and other adults in our church) to support and even join your Gospel Advancing endeavors.
1. HOST A MEET-UP.
Many parents and adults in your church are eager to hear about youth trips and about what students encountered while they were there. Encourage the youth leadership team to visit your church’s adult Sunday-school classes and small-group Bible studies, or plan an all-church meet-up after the trip, during which you provide opportunities for you and your students to share what, why, and what’s next.
What
Ask a few students to share some details about what they did, as well as the training or Gospel opportunities they experienced. Feel free to show a highlight video, but more importantly, use this time to tell stories of how this trip challenged and changed the lives of your students and those they ministered to.
As an added benefit, consider tasking your students with presenting an abbreviated version of some of the training or teaching they received at Lead THE Cause or the event they attended. Content such as the Cause Circle, the Gospel acrostic, or Ask – Admire – Admit are all tools that anyone of any age can use. When you do this, you’re not only sharing what your students learned, but you’re also equipping and training your parents and other adults in your church with Gospel Advancing principles and tools to empower them to advance the Gospel themselves.
Why
Invite a few students to share why they went on the trip, why a focus on Gospel Advancing ministry is so important, and why sharing the Gospel matters. In short, communicate the Gospel urgency and biblical mandate we have as believers to share the Gospel and make disciple-makers. Include an invitation to have parents and other adults create their own Cause Circles so they can identify people they can pray for, care for, and share the Gospel with. Invite these adults to join you in your Gospel Advancing efforts!
What’s next
Have a few students highlight what your group’s next steps are as a result of this trip. These what’s next steps can be from a personal standpoint but should also include how your ministry will continue incorporating this approach in the coming year. Some examples: Describe what your Cause turf is, how many Gospel conversations your group is praying to have this year, and a few of the goals you developed with your bold vision. This can be a very powerful time as your church and families see the long-term impact and benefit of this trip and commit to praying for you and supporting you in these efforts. Bonus: You may even have a few adults offer to be part of your volunteer team as they hear of your dreams and vision for Gospel Advancing!
2. ENCOURAGE USE OF THE LI6W APP.
The Life in 6 Words app is a powerful tool that’s available to anyone at any time to help them share the Gospel. Encourage your students and parents to explore the app together, using the different sections to teach the Gospel Advancing philosophy. Show them how to set up a private group for their family, and explain how and why you have a group set up for your youth group. Show them how to use the Cause Circle and the prayer reminders on the app.
3. EXPLAIN HOW THIS LOOKS IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
Many students and parents are busier than ever with their jobs, sports, and numerous other activities. During the school season, it will likely get even busier. Ignite your students, their parents, and other adults in the church to develop an “as you are going” mentality. Help them see their current schedules, plans, rhythms, and daily interactions as opportunities God may be giving them to live out a Gospel Advancing lifestyle. Challenge them to begin praying for these regular daily interactions—that they would look for ways they can care for others and share the Gospel with them.
Even as summer ends, don’t lose sight of the unique opportunity you have to invite and engage with your parents and other adults in your church about the impact Gospel Advancing ministry has had in the lives of your students. With prayer, intentionality, and a few practical ways to invite parents and other adults to hear more, you can expand the reach of Gospel Advancing ministry from the youth room to the homes of your greater church family!
