Relational Tip #4

Listen, Listen, Listen and Listen!

So here is what it comes down too.

Students are dying to be heard. Thats what they need, want, live for. They go to school every day and get taught TOO. They dont get to go to school and teach anything or get listened to all the time. Most of the time they probably go to school, work, home and anywhere else that has to do with adults and dont get any time to be listened too.

Try sitting in a room and just listening, one on one with a student in your youth group, small group, outreach group, whatever group the student may come from and just listen.

It is amazing sometimes what YOU can learn from a student, a kid, your kid, when you simply sit and listen.

Too many times there are people that think all they need to do is talk and then it will be all ok.

Listen, just to listen to them and see what you hear.

Here is the kicker, when you begin to listen to them, and take to heart what they are saying, then they will start listening to you. That is when you are able to penetrate their lives and teach them something they are longing for.

Most of the time, students are looking for an adult that can listen to them.

check out the dialogue that Jim Hancock writes in his book: How to Volunteer like a Pro, in Chapter 6. Its amazing.

Listen.