6 Things Every Student Should Have

What are the essential elements that enable Christian students to more fully embrace their new identity in Christ? To find the answer to this question we have searched Scripture, read books, articles, and academic studies, we’ve observed students as they progressed through our ministries, and we have listened to the parents of teens.

We have compiled our findings into this list of “6 Things.” While these six things are not an instant guarantee of spiritual growth, we have found that the consistent presence of these qualities in the life of a believing student is often the bedrock upon which real growth in Christ is founded. Here’s a list of the ways in which our church’s youth ministry is positioned to help students massage these qualities into their lives...

6 things we think every student should have in order to more fully EMBRACE their identity in Christ...

1. A friend who loves God and loves them

Recommended resources:

• Wednesday Night Ignite Meetings

• Fall Headrush Retreat, Winter Believe Conference for Middle School, Spring Hill Camp for High School.

2. A regular prayer and devotional life

Recommended resources:

• One Minute Bible for Students by Doug Fields

• The Message/REMIX Solo: An Uncommon Devotional by Eugene Peterson* 

• S.O.A.P. journaling strategy

3. Participation in a weekly worship gathering

Recommended resources:

• Weekend worship services at ECC (Saturday at 5:27PM, Sunday at 9:00AM and 10:30AM)

4. Times of purposeful study

Recommended resources:

• True U Seminars

• Life Application Study Bible NLT, or The NLT Study Bible

5. Guidance to help them deal with tough stuff

Recommended resources:

• Adult youth workers (youth ministry volunteers & paid staff)

• Staff counselors Bob Bruce and Kim Fish, and referrals

• Various books in the church library (in the student section)

6. Regular evaluation

Recommended resources:

• Spiritual Check-Up (available at Ignite Meetings, and were working on an on-line version)