3 Ways Parents Can Better Connect With Their Student
As a parent, you’ve likely been asked to volunteer for your fair share of student events—whether at school, at church, or for extracurricular activities. Parent volunteers are great, and they’re needed! But there are many other relational ways you can get involved with your student’s world and help them grow in faith. Here are just three ideas
1. Learn about your student’s leaders
Whether it’s student ministry or school sports, there is a partnership going on between you as a parent and the activity your child is engaging in. For instance, at College Park Student Ministries, we’re partnering with parents to disciple students. It’s a task of teamwork because any good partnership requires relationship. I encourage you to take the time to learn about and build relationships with the leaders in your student’s life—particularly those who are directly impacting their walk with Christ. Consider inviting them out for lunch or coffee. Your efforts will foster better discipleship of your student as well as greatly bless your student’s leader.
2. Connect with other parents
The parents and guardians of the teens in your student’s Small Group are in a similar life season—the same is probably true of the parents and guardians in your child’s classroom or on their sports team. Connecting with these parents can minister to your family and theirs. You may even build a connection that provides lasting friendship for yourself as well as your student. Consider inviting a group to get coffee while your students are enjoying programs.
3. Invite your student’s Small Group over
We love for students to find ways to spend time together outside of church. One way you can help is by inviting your student’s Small Group over for a night of food and fun. But this isn’t just limited to youth group activities. Perhaps your student is involved in an after-school club or a Bible study. Invite the other students over to your home. By providing a safe place to build relationships outside of church, you promote deep discipleship opportunities.
