4. Inspire spiritual growth.
A missions trip is a great place for a student to encounter God. Students will feel a need for God while on the trip, and this is a great opportunity for you to introduce them to spiritual disciplines. Set aside time on the trip for devotions and prayer. Provide a tool like a Bible study guide or prayer journal that students can use. Encourage students to continue with spending time with God even as they return home. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to inspire spiritual growth.
5. Find teachable moments.
Teachable moments happen when you mix a student’s experience with the truth of God’s Word. On missions trips, students will encounter many different experiences, and they will be challenged to think in new ways. Look for moments to help them make applications for changing their lives back home. We have the opportunity to help them connect the dots between real life and God’s Word.
6. Challenge students.
Challenging students starts with challenging the top performing students. Usually we want to challenge the students who don’t “get it.” But challenging the students who do is much more productive since it gives those who are struggling a model to follow. Challenge can be as simple as asking students: Is there a better way? How can we improve tomorrow? These questions will require students to think about their performance and how they can grow.
