4. Engage in dialogue.
Not discussion. Dialogue. Create moments for students to talk with you and each other about what makes their faith distinctive. Encourage back-and-forth. See information not as a deposit you’re making but as a tool for meaningful conversation where deep learning happens.
5. Create spaces for kids to interact with unchurched friends.
What if you created an environment where your students’ unchurched friends could come talk about religion? Not in a pushy or manipulated way, but in an open conversation where students and their friends engaged in discussions about the nature of faith and religion. Maybe do it away from church in a small group. Whatever it looks like, the more you can help students talk about their faith (in an environment where you can follow up and correct and redirect as necessary), the better they’ll become at it.
6. Create a culture of expectation.
Teens need to know that God places a premium on them talking about their faith to others. Ask teenagers about this regularly. Encourage students who are doing a great job of it. Help create the expectation that faith-discussions should be a part of their lives.
7. Encourage faith-talk at home.
Finally, ask students who have Christ-following parents to engage their parents in this process. Have them ask their parents to share their faith stories. Challenge students to dialogue with their parents about the basics of what they believe. Support healthy, spiritual conversations in the home as much as possible.
Are these steps the only answer? Of course not. They aren’t a fool-proof evangelism method, either. But they’re a start, and this concept is too important not to address.
What would you add to this list of student evangelism steps? How do you help equip teens to share their faith with others?
