Have you ever felt like your high school seniors just aren’t as engaged with their faith as you’d hoped? Maybe they’ve checked out of youth group when you expected them to be the ones leading the charge their senior year?
Be reminded, God is at work — He can do anything. And He desires for all students, including seniors, to be fully engaged and thriving within the church family, not disengaging or diving out of church life. Even when frustration sets in, remember your calling, focus on God’s faithfulness and trust that He will continue to work in their lives. My heart’s desire is to reflect Christ and help others grow to reflect Him as well.
Having been a student pastor for many years, I often reflect on my purpose and calling. My mission is clear: to help students grow in their faith. Many young people struggle with discovering their purpose, and I believe the answer is simple: Draw near to the Lord, walk with Him, grow in His likeness and depend on the Holy Spirit. It’s through this intimate relationship that they find their true identity and purpose. And when they’re walking with Christ in obedience and showing others how to do the same, it’s a living picture of what it means to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
As I reflect on high school seniors, I focus on what I want them to experience and respond to in their final year before they graduate and potentially leave their home and church community. I’ve set goals for each grade in my ministry, and I’ll share my specific goals for seniors and the ways I guide them to thrive. One of my key approaches is simply listening. Throughout the year, I create intentional spaces for conversations, whether that’s post-Wednesday Bible study meetings or during trips, where I ask open-ended questions. I want seniors to feel heard, valued and safe in their environment. By listening and watching students through the years, I have trusted the Lord to use some of the following ideas to help me and our ministry lift our youth to thrive.
Ideas for Thriving Seniors
Here are a few ideas you might consider for helping seniors thrive and grow in servant leadership:
1. Model Leadership: Servant leadership is something we must model in every aspect of ministry. Seniors, especially, should lead by example — whether that’s through serving at events or stepping up for roles like leading worship or small group discussions. However, it’s important to provide leadership opportunities for students of all ages, not just seniors.
2. Spiritual Disciplines: Help students develop and maintain regular practices that deepen their faith. Some key spiritual practices I encourage seniors to embrace include:
- Spending quiet time with God (Psalm 46:10).
- Practicing spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible reading and fasting.
- Depending on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.
- Writing and sharing personal testimonies.
- Praying aloud in group settings.
- Mentoring younger students.
- Serving others in Christ’s name.
- Leading Bible studies.
- Forming godly friendships.
- Actively participating in the local church community.
3. Focus on Influence: I challenge my seniors to recognize their potential influence. They have the ability to impact others, and it’s crucial they understand that their influence doesn’t come from what they do, who they date or any other external factors — it’s rooted in their identity in Christ. This identity empowers them to disciple others and build up the Kingdom of God.
Practical Ways to Encourage Leadership
As I guide seniors through their final year, I have several practical leadership opportunities I incorporate:
- Prayer: I intentionally set aside time to pray for different grades of students and leaders each week. This keeps me connected to their struggles and growth. Praying for both active and inactive students is crucial in staying tuned to God’s voice.
- Student Adult Leadership Team (S.A.L.T.): Seniors serve as leaders in a unique way, evaluating and helping implement activities for younger students. I allow any senior to apply for this team if they’re committed to the role.
- Wednesday Nights – Crosstraining: Seniors take on roles like greeting, leading worship, managing the sound system or facilitating small groups. By inviting younger students to learn the ropes alongside them, they pass on valuable leadership skills.
- Senior Testimonies: Before graduation, seniors share their testimonies during Wednesday evening services. I work with them beforehand to ensure they communicate what God has done in their lives, making this moment transformative for both them and their peers.
- Mission Trips: During mission trips, seniors often lead work groups, write devotionals and mentor younger students. This experience not only challenges their faith but also provides an opportunity to serve others.
- Discipleship Groups (D-Groups): On Thursdays before school, seniors lead a small discipleship group at Chick-fil-A, where they practice praying aloud, teaching and eventually subbing for me when necessary.
- Super Summer Alabama: This week-long discipleship leadership camp provides seniors with deepened spiritual growth and equips them to come back as leaders, ready to serve and teach others.
- Commissioning Sunday: We don’t just have a “Graduation Sunday” — we use this time to commission our seniors, bless them and challenge them to plug into a new church community if they’re leaving home. It’s a send-off for them to go and make disciples.
By the time they reach their senior year, I hope to see our seniors thrive through the servant-leadership opportunities provided in our ministry. Through these experiences, they learn to deepen their faith and actively engage in the mission of making disciples. By listening, encouraging and offering meaningful service opportunities, we equip them to embrace leadership, serve the community and grow in Christ. This intentional approach will empower them to fulfill the Great Commission and make a lasting impact in God’s Kingdom.
What’s the next step you can take to help your ministry develop more disciples and raise up servant leaders before they graduate? May we help them thrive in ministry, not dive out of ministry.
Jon LaMarque serves as student pastor at Coosada Baptist Church, Coosada, Alabama.
