There are just some things we have to get right in student ministry. We’re entering a new era: from the generational shift to school districts banning cellphones, states banning Roblox®, and the spirit of revival in the air. Ironically, it feels like a return to something very essential. My youth ministry friend Brittany feels the same way: “We’re going back to some really basic, almost old-school things this semester.”
And in this new season, there are 4 crucial things we have to get right.
1. The Gospel
It’s so obvious we almost forget. As my youth ministry friend Steven reminded me, the gospel isn’t a feature of the message but the organizing principle for everything we do.
When you’re playing games—the gospel.
When you’re having coffee—the gospel.
When you’re on a bus ride to camp—the gospel.
The centering story of the gospel is what separates us from the entertainment trap in student ministry. It’s not the add-on or conclusion to an otherwise fun program. Students don’t need another social activity, they need Jesus. If the gospel shapes not just our message but our tone, games, conversations, and leadership, we’ll give students what no other place can offer.
2. Relationship Over Everything
It’s easy for ministries to make a lot of plans—our lives are shaped by what we do. Just don’t lose who you made those plans for: the people. My youth ministry friend Chris says “relationship over everything.” Do you spend five hours on sermon prep or nine? Choose relationships over extra prep. Are you prioritizing a quarterly event over a simple invite to coffee? Relationships over event-planning. It’s easy to get lost in planning and miss the relational core of student ministry. Like my friend Britton says “Disciples are handmade, not manufactured.” Choose intentional relationships over best-laid plans.
3. Serve Names, Not Numbers
Stop trying to scale everything. Student ministry’s goal is not growth in numbers alone. I have spent time with too many ministers who wish their ministries were larger. Serve the names, not the numbers. One of the best ways is by enriching students’ confidence in reading Scripture. Teach them how to read. Foster a love for the Word. So when your students aren’t with you, they’re not without the wisdom you shared. It’s not flashy, but it’s one of the most important things you do.
4. Discipleship Isn’t Optional
Your students are being formed spiritually even when they’re not with you. This is the most challenging and tempting part of this new era. YouTubers sound like youth pastors, and influence feels like conversion. Those millions of voices weigh on your students. The temptation to live distracted instead of discipled isn’t going away. Disciple-forming isn’t just an “extra program.” It’s not optional. For a generation of students being swayed by every new reel, trend, or feed, the real program of youth ministry may not be the big thing you planned for when they’re with you—it’s what you prepare them for when they aren’t.
We’ve got to get this right—not with more flash, but with more faithfulness. If the stats are true, they show an uptick in Gen Z and Gen Alpha coming to know Christ. If some are calling it revival, then we need to ask the harder question: what are we going to do about it? Because here’s what we don’t want: masses of students flooding our gatherings, getting saved and baptized, and walking out without ever experiencing the slow, steady, one-on-one discipleship that actually grows roots. Give students the tools. Build relationships that endure outside of programs. Because if revival is happening, then discipleship must follow, or we fail. We have to get it right.
And in this new season, there are 4 crucial things we have to get right.
1. The Gospel
It’s so obvious we almost forget. As my youth ministry friend Steven reminded me, the gospel isn’t a feature of the message but the organizing principle for everything we do.
When you’re playing games—the gospel.
When you’re having coffee—the gospel.
When you’re on a bus ride to camp—the gospel.
The centering story of the gospel is what separates us from the entertainment trap in student ministry. It’s not the add-on or conclusion to an otherwise fun program. Students don’t need another social activity, they need Jesus. If the gospel shapes not just our message but our tone, games, conversations, and leadership, we’ll give students what no other place can offer.
2. Relationship Over Everything
It’s easy for ministries to make a lot of plans—our lives are shaped by what we do. Just don’t lose who you made those plans for: the people. My youth ministry friend Chris says “relationship over everything.” Do you spend five hours on sermon prep or nine? Choose relationships over extra prep. Are you prioritizing a quarterly event over a simple invite to coffee? Relationships over event-planning. It’s easy to get lost in planning and miss the relational core of student ministry. Like my friend Britton says “Disciples are handmade, not manufactured.” Choose intentional relationships over best-laid plans.
3. Serve Names, Not Numbers
Stop trying to scale everything. Student ministry’s goal is not growth in numbers alone. I have spent time with too many ministers who wish their ministries were larger. Serve the names, not the numbers. One of the best ways is by enriching students’ confidence in reading Scripture. Teach them how to read. Foster a love for the Word. So when your students aren’t with you, they’re not without the wisdom you shared. It’s not flashy, but it’s one of the most important things you do.
4. Discipleship Isn’t Optional
Your students are being formed spiritually even when they’re not with you. This is the most challenging and tempting part of this new era. YouTubers sound like youth pastors, and influence feels like conversion. Those millions of voices weigh on your students. The temptation to live distracted instead of discipled isn’t going away. Disciple-forming isn’t just an “extra program.” It’s not optional. For a generation of students being swayed by every new reel, trend, or feed, the real program of youth ministry may not be the big thing you planned for when they’re with you—it’s what you prepare them for when they aren’t.
We’ve got to get this right—not with more flash, but with more faithfulness. If the stats are true, they show an uptick in Gen Z and Gen Alpha coming to know Christ. If some are calling it revival, then we need to ask the harder question: what are we going to do about it? Because here’s what we don’t want: masses of students flooding our gatherings, getting saved and baptized, and walking out without ever experiencing the slow, steady, one-on-one discipleship that actually grows roots. Give students the tools. Build relationships that endure outside of programs. Because if revival is happening, then discipleship must follow, or we fail. We have to get it right.
Zac Workun is the Student Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Students and co-founder for Youth Ministry Booster. Zac received his bachelor’s from Oklahoma Baptist University and Master’s of Divinity from Duke University. He lives in ? with his wife Karen and two wild boys.
