Youth Workers: You’re Being Watched

I was late and in a hurry! I flashed my papers to the guy at the security check point, so I could get on my flight in time. In my hand I had an old Starbucks cup, and as I reached for my stuff I lost hold of it. Fortunately, it was empty. I scrambled through the rest of the screening, and rushed on to the next step, forgetting the empty cup on the floor.

You know who didn’t forget the cup? The lady behind me in line. Boy, did she let me have it! My momentary lapse, in a lifetime of “no littering,” gave her permission to light into me. After her scolding, I vowed to recycle every day of my life and even start a compost pile when I got home to Southern California as penance for my misdeed.

I laugh about that interaction now, but it actually brings up a great thought – you are being watched. All of the time!

The way you react to the guy changing your oil at Jiffy Lube. How you treat the waiter at Fuddruckers. The way you talk to your wife. Good, bad or ugly – you’re being watched.

Discipleship isn’t simply about opening up student’s brain and dumping in Biblical truth. It is about modeling your life in front of them. Talk about pressure! I’d much rather just teach them from up front, than give them a front row seat to my life. But that isn’t what God expects of us, as we care for teenagers.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

True discipleship is letting students into your life so they can see what it means to be a Christ-follower. So they can see someone who is genuinely following Jesus. Perhaps even one who doesn’t have it all figured out, but is at least a few steps ahead in their walk of faith.   

Discipleship is more than a curriculum that is followed. It is a life that is followed. 

So what does life-on-life discipleship, mentoring look like? I think for most youth workers it can be a simple tweak in their normal rhythms. I call it turning the mundane into ministry. Invite students into your daily life. When you go visit

someone in the hospital, don’t go alone. Invite a student over to dinner to see how your family interacts together.

You’ll be surprised how much is caught, not taught.

OK, I’ve got to get back to my recycling.

Blessings as you model to students what following Jesus looks like this week.

Be sure to check out the new Journey: Disciples curriculum I developed with Awana YM for your high school students.