(Note: This is not to say we also go find the troubled kid and try to make them a leader to get them out of their “issues.” Again, look at the heart—if there is a desire in place to lead, foster it.)
Celebrate the Masses:
Every year we have an awards ceremony where each student gets an award. We base it on a character trait where we see Christ in the student. For example, there might be “The Most Bold” award. In life, there are many times when a student will get to sit through the school awards thinking, “That will never be me.” When my youngest was in 4th grade, her teacher did this. She won the “Natural Leader Award.” She is 13 now and just told me the other day, “I know I am a leader, do you know how I know? When I was in 4th grade my teacher gave me that award that told me I was a natural leader.” You have no idea how much taking the chance to publicly speak truth and life into a teen will impact them. If you don’t want to have an awards ceremony, is there a way you can publicly acknowledge different students throughout the year in a variety of ways? How will you ensure those that are too quiet, awkward or average can get a moment of celebration?
Take Back Every Moment:
Make sure you look for a time when you can speak the truth that Christ offers into a student. I have learned that many times the winners of those awards suffer under a weight of perfectionism. They are petrified of being “less than.” The funny thing is they work hard for the award and still deal with deep insecurity. Create a culture that looks for the moments students are feeling weak, where you can tell them what God really sees. Every teen needs to be reminded of Jesus’ thoughts about them, often.
Unfortunately we end up in a cycle when we don’t root for the underdog. Only a handful can be the best, so the rest settle into apathy. There are too many years of disappointment in play, and they need to guard their hearts. As youth workers, we see the apathy and start saying things like, “Teens are just this way.” Not everyone wins a trophy, but we all have a chance at greatness if we choose a life with Jesus. Let’s start telling the students the same thing.
