We live in this postmodern milieu, were teens, value following those worth being followed over pursuing those with the right titles. Structures and systems no longer hold the validity they once did. Sometimes, the real authority lies with the parents, the long-term youth volunteers, paid staff and youth coordinators aren’t necessarily part of that mix. In the real world, leaders are recognized, not appointed. You have to learn how to weave influence without storming the main gates of a board, committee, session, or staff hierarchy.

Student Leaders? Have you seen the students in my youth group?

God chooses unlikely candidates to be divine instruments of the kingdom.

The Bible is full of individuals who had influence and authority even though much about their nature might have suggested otherwise.

• Esther, the young female outsider, led her people with courage and ingenuity.
• Joseph was an arrogant, overlooked, younger-brother but led a nation though his visionary leadership.
• Priscilla At the church in Corinth, broke cultural barriers showing how a woman could shape the power structure of a church.
• Barnabus redefined leadership by showing what it means to lead through encouragement and humility.

Recognize how to find the most unlikely candidate to take a leadership task. Listen with a caring heart.

Developing Student Leaders starts with…

1. Quiet Time –Create a controlled environment within your youth ministry for quiet devotion for prayer and God’s word. It is shown in studies that Students who have learned to make daily entries into a journal have increased in their consistency in Prayer and Bible Study. This is a great time to begin the habit of getting into God’s word and praying on daily basis. Most of the time when a student is asked how they grew spiritually they point to the times when God would speak through them, encourage them through His word
2. Personal Responsibility –Give students the opportunity to be responsible. Look for jobs/projects that a student can handle and let him or her run it. The weight of responsibility brings a maturity. Don’t leave the teen alone offer support and encouragement and affirm when they do well. Through this students will learn that their behavior (good or bad) directly affects the success of others. If they fulfill the requirements then the whole team benefits. If they are lazy in their work, the team suffers. If we treat teens like adults and give them responsibilities, they are more than likely to respond like adults.
3. Servant hood –Students should learn that significance is found in serving. Jesus’ modeled that for us when he washed the disciples’ feet. He showed the full extent of His love. If we are to show the full extent of His love for others we have to embrace being a servant. Look for ways to give the student a deeper sense of what it means to serve.
4. Open  their eyes to see the World as Jesus Sees the World – Help teens see through the eyes of Jesus. Student should gain a healthier perspective of the world and their individual lives.• God enlarges their perspective when teens see new lands, new people, and new ways to serve. As a result everyday problems they encounter are less significant.
   • There is a greater desire to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ, especially in respects to His call to serve on their life
   • They become open to God’s calling and use of them in their own world
5. Look for opportunities to debrief –try to connect with each of your students helping them process their emotions, frustrations, and own spiritual growth. Pray for them ask them question get them talking about their experiences. In the end encourage them with affirmation. Make mental notes of individuals and how they are growing in your youth ministry.

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