Being a Christian young person can be tough. You are making choices that peers not only fail to understand, but may mock. You live in a culture where being the best you can be is viewed with disdain as perfectionism. Basically, you are swimming upstream trying to become who God wants you to be – which is hard enough under the best of circumstances.
Secular studies have begun looking at the idea of self efficacy and its impact on actual success. Basically it boils down to “If you believe you can succeed, it is easier to succeed.” The young people you mentor spiritually or teach in Bible classes need you to believe in their ability to become strong, productive Christians, but they also need to believe in themselves and their ability to grow spiritually.
One way to help them is through regular mentoring conversations. Instead of merely focusing on the areas where they are struggling spiritually, spend some time talking about the ways they are learning and growing as Christians. In what areas are they finding it easier to more consistently do what God would want them to do? What have they learned from their reading and study of scripture? What spiritual disciplines have helped them grow? How have they served others and shared their faith?
When you spend time reflecting on their spiritual growth – no matter what that looks like – it can help them realize that in spite of what they may see as continued failures, they are capable of growth spiritually as well. That recognition can give them the confidence to take more growth steps spiritually, which hopefully will lead to even more spiritual maturity. It’s important for them to know that God and you believe they can do it, but they may just grow faster if they begin to believe it too.