3 Steps Every Student Pastor Needs to Build Lasting Discipleship

Reaching Students: Building Ministry on Foundational Principles

Student ministry is full of creativity, new strategies, and innovative methods to reach and disciple students. But while methods change with time, culture, and context, the foundational principles remain the same. These principles, rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus, form the bedrock of any ministry that lasts.

In Matthew 9:35–38, we see Jesus model three crucial aspects of effective ministry: seeing, engaging, and connecting. He went throughout cities and villages teaching, proclaiming, and healing. He didn’t just notice the crowds—He saw their need. He described them as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” That awareness moved Him to action, and He invited His disciples to join Him.

This blog isn’t about the latest program. It’s about timeless steps that align us with Jesus’ example and anchor our ministry in purpose. Let’s explore how finding, engaging, and connecting serve as powerful, enduring principles in student ministry.

1. FIND: Keep Your Eyes Open

“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them.” (Matthew 9:36)

Jesus’ ministry began with truly noticing people. Student pastors face the same challenge—it’s easy to connect only with familiar faces. But compassion begins when we see the overlooked.

Reflection Questions:

• Who stays on the edges of your group?

• Who might need encouragement, friendship, or support?

• Who seems “harassed and helpless”?

Seeing students as Jesus sees them is often the turning point between inclusion and exclusion. Ask God to open your eyes to notice who needs you.

2. ENGAGE: Put Yourself in Their Place

Jesus’ compassion led Him to act. He proclaimed the kingdom and healed the hurting. His engagement was intentional.

As student pastors, engaging means more than small talk. It means showing up consistently and remembering what students share.

Tips for Engagement:

• Follow up beyond your first conversation.

• If a student shares a struggle, ask again the next week.

• Show you value them by remembering details.

Practical tools help—notes, cards, or digital records to remember students’ stories. But the real work is showing up again and again.

3. CONNECT: Build Real Relationships

Jesus’ compassion and engagement always led to connection. He invested in people beyond the crowd.

Connection looks like:

• Checking in midweek through a text or DM.

• Attending students’ games, plays, or events.

• Being the same person on Sunday and Tuesday.

Connections take time, consistency, and presence. When students know they are genuinely loved, they are more likely to stay open to the message of Christ.

The Harvest Is Ready

Jesus closed Matthew 9 by reminding His disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Students today are ready for connection, belonging, and hope. Our call is to find them, engage them, and connect with them—not just once, but as an ongoing rhythm of ministry.

Ask yourself:

• Who are you overlooking?

• How can you move from compassion to action?

• Are you building connections that last?

When we live out these principles, we partner with God in a harvest that transforms lives.

Want to take this further? Download our FREE Foundations Workbook to help you apply Find, Engage, Connect in your own ministry.

Get it here: shapingstudentministry.com/foundations

About Shaping Student Ministry

At Shaping Student Ministry, we believe ministry isn’t about gimmicks; it’s about timeless principles that work in every context. Our resources are designed to help student pastors see, engage, and connect with students in meaningful ways.

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