Lead First

Raise the bar high, and your students will reach for it. Typically, when students are given the chance, they will act responsibly.

However, sometimes teenagers will be teenagers. Something will happen that mer- its reponse, and when you ask what they were thinking, you might find out that they weren’t—thinking, that is.

Don’t be afraid to discipline appropriately. Remember, you are called to be their youth leader. Be confident in the discipline part of this role in discipleship. Those words go hand in hand, and God is using you to mold students into his disciples.

Like they Say

“From our own struggles, God intends to lead us into deeper life in Him. And beyond our personal need to find our own way in spirit, we are being trained so that we can later lead others who wish to grow in a strong, living faith.”—Howard Baker, Soul Keeping: Ancient Paths of Spiritual Direction

God's Word

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”—Hosea 6:1