Ibrahim Gardner
University is a time when students are open to new experiences, and their world views are evolving. It is also a time when they are teachable, available, and energetic, making it an ideal time to introduce them to the church. Evangelism and discipleship are key aspects of reaching university students. This can be achieved through mentorship, community-building events, and integrating students into the local church. Churches can also partner with campus ministries and utilise events and social media to reach students. Ultimately, sharing personal testimonies and the gospel in a community context is an effective way to engage university students in the church.
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What You'll Learn
Evangelism and discipleship
Training and Education
Offering training and education in evangelism and discipleship can help to deepen an individual's faith and encourage them to share it with others. Courses can cover a range of topics, from spiritual growth and understanding doctrine to practical ministry skills and biblical studies. For example, Biola University offers a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Evangelism and Discipleship, which prepares students to become effective evangelists and disciple believers.
Bible Curriculum
A structured Bible curriculum can be an effective way to engage students in exploring their faith. This could include lesson plans, activities, and memory verses that are tailored to the unique developmental needs of university students. For instance, Global University's Children's Bible Curriculum covers areas such as spiritual life, the Bible, theology, and Christian ethics, with engaging activities like drama, coloring, and group games.
Small Groups and Community
Small groups play a vital role in developing biblical community within a church. Understanding interpersonal relationships and character development are essential skills for organizing and leading these groups effectively. Emphasizing community and connection can create a sense of belonging for university students, fostering their spiritual growth and encouraging them to share their faith with others.
Missions and Outreach
Encouraging university students to participate in missions and outreach programs can be a powerful way to engage in evangelism and discipleship. This could include local community service projects, global missions trips, or on-campus initiatives. By serving others and sharing their faith, students can put their beliefs into action and make a tangible impact.
Understanding Worldviews
To effectively engage university students in evangelism and discipleship, it is important to address diverse belief systems. Providing resources and training to understand worldviews like atheism, New Age beliefs, and relativistic worldviews can help students navigate their campus environment and share their faith with peers who may have different perspectives.
By combining these approaches, a church can effectively engage university students in evangelism and discipleship, fostering spiritual growth, community building, and a passion for sharing their faith.
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Host events
Hosting events is a great way to get your church shared with university students. Here are some ideas and instructions to get you started:
Identify your resources and opportunities
Think about your church body and identify the qualities and opportunities you can offer university students. Perhaps you already have a well-established college or young adult ministry in place, or maybe you can integrate university students into other areas of your church. Consider who in your church community would make great mentors or be willing to provide a meal or encouragement to a student who is new to the city and may be experiencing loneliness or a desire for community.
Partner with campus ministries
Most campus ministry leaders long for meaningful partnerships with local churches. They have committed long-term leaders and proven strategies to help your church reach students. You can partner with existing ministries on campus and give college students a picture of unity and cooperation in Gospel ministry. Support the campus ministry of your denomination or church affiliation. If it doesn't exist, follow university procedures and start building relationships with kindness and integrity.
Host social events
Plan social events that are fun and interactive, creating opportunities for students to connect with each other and your church community. For example, host a party with food and refreshments, or organize activities like bowling, pumpkin carving, or restaurant outings. These events can be a great way to build community and foster friendships within your church group. Encourage attendees to bring their friends along, helping to expand your reach and create a diverse and inclusive environment.
Organize giveaways and attractions
Attract a large number of students by organizing giveaways or attractions on campus. For example, plan a raffle with free food and music, giving away items that college students would be eager to win. Alternatively, set up a giant slip 'n slide in the center of campus with the university's approval. These events can be excellent opportunities to meet as many students as possible and engage with them. While these events may require an investment, they are worth it, especially for attracting freshmen who are eager to make friends and find a sense of belonging.
Table on campus
Set up a table on campus with sharp signage and a professional look. Have younger people from your church community run the table, as students tend to be more comfortable approaching people they perceive as their peers. If your church has students who attend the university, recruit them to help with tabling and heading up outreach on campus. Ensure you have promotional materials, such as flyers, and a way for interested students to provide their contact information, such as a Google form or contact card. Table extensively during the first week of school and when the school offers organization fairs to maximize your reach.
Host Gospel Appointments
After your initial outreach events and parties, begin hosting Gospel Appointments, which are small group Bible studies where you can share God's story and create a sense of community. Funnel people from these small groups to your church, and continue to encourage community-building events and activities.
Remember, one of the most powerful ways to share the gospel is by weaving in your own testimony and personal experiences of God's redemption. By hosting events and creating opportunities for connection, you can effectively reach university students and share your church with them.
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Student mentorship
The church plays a crucial role in providing spiritual guidance and mentorship to students during this formative period. Mentorship within the church context transcends the traditional student-teacher relationship and becomes a life-on-life, shoulder-to-shoulder journey. It involves sharing wisdom, providing encouragement, and offering guidance rooted in personal experiences and insights gained through seasons with God.
The Bible provides several examples of mentoring relationships, such as Jesus and His twelve disciples, Paul and Timothy, and Paul and Barnabas. These relationships demonstrate the power of mentorship in passing on knowledge, faith, and wisdom from one generation to the next.
When establishing a student mentorship program within a church, it is essential to consider the following:
- Identify mentors within the church community: Look for individuals who possess qualities worth imitating and who are willing to invest in the lives of students. These mentors should be individuals who can share their faith, provide guidance, and embody a life of service and discipleship.
- Create opportunities for connection: Organize events or activities that bring students and mentors together. This could include dining at local college hotspots, participating in campus activities, or hosting welcome events for freshmen.
- Foster a sense of belonging: Help students feel like they belong in the church community. Encourage mentors and other church members to invite students into their homes, share meals, and engage in everyday life together.
- Provide spiritual accountability: Mentors can support students in their spiritual journeys, offering guidance and encouragement as they navigate challenges and uncertainties.
- Adapt to the needs of the students: Understand that each student-mentor relationship will be unique. Be willing to adapt to the needs, interests, and challenges of each student. Create safe spaces for honest conversations and the sharing of struggles and victories.
By implementing these practices, the church can effectively mentor university students, helping them grow in their faith, navigate life's challenges, and develop meaningful connections within the church community.
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Local church membership
The first step to belonging to a church is to join and become a member. While students may only be in their college town for a few years, they should still commit to serving in their local church. It is important to remember that belonging to a local church is not something that begins after graduation but should be a lifelong commitment. Joining a local church provides accountability and mentorship, with older Christians walking alongside younger Christians as they share their faith and witness the gospel together.
To attract university students to local churches, churches can organize events like raffles with free food and music, giving away prizes that appeal to students. They can also participate in campus activities, partner with existing campus ministries, and build relationships with students. Churches should also evaluate their own qualities and opportunities, such as mentorship programs, to meet the needs of university students seeking community and belonging.
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Community and accountability
University is a time when students are teachable, available, and energetic. They are eager to learn and leave an impact on the world. However, it is also a time when they may feel lonely, afraid of failure, and anxious about the future. Therefore, it is essential to create a supportive community within the church that can help them navigate these challenges and grow in their faith.
One way to foster a sense of community is through mentorship. As mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:10-11, Paul and Timothy's relationship serves as an example of Biblical mentorship, where life teachings and conduct are imitated. By surrounding themselves with mentors who care for them and display qualities worth emulating, students can find guidance and support in their spiritual journey.
Another way to build community is through discipleship. This can happen formally by studying God's Word or discussing a book together, or informally by engaging in everyday activities such as grocery shopping or sharing meals. As seen in the early church, togetherness in everyday life and ministry—praying, fellowshipping, and learning together—creates a peculiar but attractive community that stands out from the surrounding culture.
Additionally, creating opportunities for students to serve alongside others in the church can foster a sense of belonging and spiritual growth. Serving together unifies the body of Christ and allows students to use their gifts to build up the community.
While mentorship and discipleship are essential, it is also crucial to encourage students to actively engage with a broader community of believers. Through campus ministries, weekly Bible studies, worship, and prayer meetings, students can find genuine friendships and experience the love and grace of God. This sense of belonging and accountability within the Christian community can help students navigate the challenges and temptations they may face during their university years.
Accountability is a vital aspect of community within the church. It involves answerability to God, the ultimate authority, and to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. As Christians, we are called to live under the authority of God and be grafted into Christ's body, the church. By holding each other accountable, we help each other grow in Christlikeness and stay on the path of moral purity and righteousness.
In conclusion, by fostering mentorship, discipleship, service, and accountability within the church community, we can support university students in their spiritual journey and help them navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of their university years. Together, we can impact the next generation and guide them towards a deeper relationship with God.
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Frequently asked questions
First, pray about how God might use your church to reach university students. Next, do your research. Familiarise yourself with the university campus, student life, and the academic calendar. Identify qualities and opportunities your church can offer students. For example, mentorship, meals, and encouragement. You could also set up a raffle with prizes that students would want, or organise fun community-building events. Finally, consider partnering with existing campus ministries.
Evangelism can be scary, but remember that God is sovereign over the situation. One way to evangelise is to share your testimony. Weave in your story of how God has redeemed you from sin with the story of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. You could also work through a simple three-part outline: the student's story, your story, and God's story. Ask about their spiritual background, then ask permission to share a gospel presentation.
To encourage students to join your church, you must first get permission to be on campus. Visit the office of student life and find out what it would take for your church to become a registered student organisation. This will allow you to host events and small group meetings on campus. Set up a table with sharp signage and recruit younger people to run it. Hand out flyers and invite students to a launch party, then funnel them to your church.
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