Teaching a meaningful, memorable, hands-on Bible class is wonderful. If you really want to impact the spiritual lives of your students in meaningful ways for years to come, you will also need to become one of their mentors. Mentoring is not always easy and requires a long term commitment in many cases, but it gives you an amazing opportunity to continue to walk along side your Bible students on their spiritual journey long after they have left your class.
Developing a mentoring relationship with your students begins with showing them your are interested and invested in their lives. It almost always means you will have to spend time with them outside of class. Even if you have no interest in mentoring your students, however, they will still learn more in your class if they know you really care about them. With children and teens, love often equates to spending quality time with them. It’s also a great way to minister to the families of your students as well.
Sounds great, but perhaps you haven’t spent time with young people outside of your class before. What are some ways you can interact with your students during the week? Here are ten of our favorite things to do with Bible students outside of class.
- Attending their events. Nothing says love like driving to another part of town to attend a ball game, concert, recital, art show, etc. Let your students know you would love to attend some of their events. Even if you can only attend one a year per student, it communicates an investment in them.
- Sending texts. Even many children have their own phones now. Don’t text during the school day, but early evening is a great time to send a short text letting them know you are thinking about them and praying for them. Bonus points if you are able to mention something specific and ask a question about it. Don’t expect a response, but those who are stressed may very well appreciate going back and forth a few times with you via text for support and encouragement.
- Sending cards and notes. Nothing is more fun than getting “real” mail from someone! Birthday cards are an easy way to reach out and you can buy them in bulk for pennies a piece. It’s also great to send notes mentioning the positive things you see in them. Growing up is tough and self esteem can be crushed multiple times in a day. Wouldn’t it be great to come home after a tough day to find a note from some saying they see good things in you, too?
- Dropping off something at their homes. I know a Bible class teacher who did this every week during COVID. She dropped off everything they needed to do an activity and then she had an online lesson and they did the craft together online. It doesn’t have to be expensive or even a gift per se. Just a little something to let them know you were thinking about them.
- Lunch at school. You will have to plan this ahead of time with parents and students as you probably will need special permission to do this. Not every student may want you to drop by their school, but most will. You don’t even have to eat. Just sitting at the table and chatting with them and their friends can make it special. Schools in your area don’t allow it? Arrange to take your students out in small groups for fast food on days off from school. Most parents are willing to even pay for their child’s food to make it easier on you if you can’t afford to treat.
- Coffee shop chats. This is a big hit with older children or teens. Most don’t actually drink coffee, but many coffee shops serve other beverages. The fun part for young people is the grown up feeling it gives them having a chat in a coffee shop.
- Ice cream parlor chats. Who doesn’t love ice cream? Ice cream parlors are another great place to spend some time with students and if you limit them to a scoop a piece, the cost still isn’t too high.
- Field trips. Field trips are a great way to spend time with a group of students. Make sure to make time for just hanging out before or after the actual activity so you all have time to relax and chat.
- Class events. There are lots of events you can schedule for your class when you can spend quality time with them. Service projects, gift discovery events, special learning activities, plays and more can give you lots of extra time with your students.
- Home visits. Never underestimate the value of even a short home visit. When I worked as a Title 1 teacher’s aide in high school, we were required to make home visits. It was impactful for me, the teacher, the students and their families. It may be the best thing you will ever do to establish a relationship outside of class.
Don’t just limit yourself to these ideas. I’ve gone on hikes with students, met them and their families to play in a park and explored exhibits and things of interest to them. Have fun with it, but taking the extra time to connect with your Bible students outside of class can make your ministry even more impactful. For some students, that can make all of the difference in the world.