If the adult says, “I have no more time to invest”:
- -Add specific young people to your personal prayer list and pray faithfully for them.
- -Begin a non-threatening conversation with young people in the church foyer.
- -Greet teenagers and young adults with a big smile and handshake.
- -Ask them for a prayer request and then pray for them right then.
- -Share a blessing or prayer request with them.
- -Sit near young people in church services.
- -Offer to take them with you on an errand.
- -Ask key young people to help you with a project.
- -Invite them to your home for a meal.
- -Meet them at a restaurant. (You have to eat, anyway.)
- -Give them something meaningful to you (like a book or CD).
- -Sponsor them financially for a youth group activity, missions trip, etc.
If the adults say, “I have about 15 minutes a week.”:
- Write them a note of encouragement.
- Send an e-mail or text message.
- Give them a quick phone call.
- Offer to drive them home from youth group, church, or an activity. (Make sure to follow your church’s “child protection policy”.)
- Initiate one-on-one conversations before or after services.
- Brag on the young person to their parents.
- Pray for a specific need every day.
- Compliment them in front of someone else.
- Congratulate them on a recent accomplishment.
If the adults say, “I have 30 minutes a week.”
- Discuss your devotions together.
- Go to 30 minutes of an event (sports, drama, music, etc.).
- Offer to drop in to see them in youth group.
- Meet them in a non-threatening location for accountability or prayer.
- Drop in on them at work (if appropriate).
- Pray for their specific needs each day.
- Provide transportation to and from an activity or work. (Make sure to follow your church’s “child protection policy”.)
- Memorize a passage of Scripture together.
If the adults say, “I have 2 hours a week.”
- -Find something you have in common and do that together.
- -Visit in the students’ homes. (Make sure to follow your church’s “child protection policy”.)
- -Invite them to an evening in your home.
- -Take them out to eat.
- -Take their parents out to dinner.
- -Help them with homework.
- -Do a service project, ministry, hobby, or craft together (golf, crafts, working on cars, etc.).
- -Pop a bag of popcorn and hang out.
- -Go shopping together.
- -Wash and wax their car.
- -Listen to music or Podcasts together.
- -Discuss a spiritual or theological question & search the Scriptures for the answer.
- -Go on a simple activity together (miniature golfing, bowling, etc.).
- -Have a Bible study.
- -Take a gift to a needy friend together.
If the adults say, “I have 4 hours a week.”
- -Play a round of golf – or do another activity together.
- -Go on a hike.
- -Go to a ball game or musical concert (let them select the artist).
- -Make a video.
- -Volunteer at a mission.
- -Read/discuss a Bible study book.
- -Teach the young person a new skill.
- -Give emerging adults the opportunity to teach you something new.
- -Participate in a church work day together.
If the adults say, “I have 10 hours a week.”
- -Go on a camp-out. (Again, Make sure to follow your church’s “child protection policy”.)
- -Clean/organize something together.
- -Paint or build something together.
- -Wash and clear the pastor’s car.
- -Organize a food drive and deliver to a needy family.
- -Start a new ministry at church together.
