How to Help Teenagers Know & Use Their Gifts

There are a lot of reasons why many of us stepped into youth ministry. Maybe it was the promise of regular pizza parties, the thrill of reliving our former dodgeball stardom, or the profound joy of seeing a teenager actually laugh at one of your jokes. These are all valid reasons—but underneath all the fun, we were really motivated by the possibility of helping teenagers grow in their faith.

That’s the heart of what we do. We want to see students know Jesus, follow Jesus, and build a faith that lasts. But as you already know, helping students grow is a whole lot more complicated than simply wishing it into existence.

How do you measure spiritual growth?

What “counts” as progress?

Which metrics actually matter—and which ones just keep us busy?

For many of us, when we think about spiritual habits, our minds go straight to the classics—reading the Bible, praying, going to church. And yes, those are incredibly important. But what if we could zoom out and think about discipleship in a more holistic way?

That’s why our discipleship strategy focuses on four spiritual habits—Spending Time with God, Spending Time with Others, Using Your Gifts, and Sharing Your Story. We believe these habits sit at the center of spiritual growth, and they shape how you plan your year—your teaching calendar, your events, your parent strategy, and even how you equip your volunteers.

We want to help teenagers build these four habits—and anytime we see a student practicing even one of them, we can celebrate it as a sign of real spiritual growth. So in this blog, let’s zoom in on just one of these habits–

USING YOUR GIFTS

Every student in your ministry needs to know that God made them unique, on purpose, and equipped them with specific gifts, talents, passions, and resources. And when they begin using those gifts to love God, love others, and influence the world around them, something changes. Their identity grows clearer. Their confidence deepens. Their faith expands.

So how do we help teenagers learn to Use Their Gifts? Here are a few practical ways to start–

• MAKE OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE. Telling a student they should serve is a good start—but giving them real opportunities to do it is even better. Look for meaningful roles where they can contribute–running tech, helping lead worship, welcoming new students, preparing activities, sharing announcements, or mentoring younger students. And don’t limit service to inside the church. Create serve days, partner with local organizations, or plan service projects in your community. Missions trips can also open students’ eyes to how their gifts can make a difference—locally or globally.
• CALL OUT WHAT YOU SEE. Students don’t always see the good in themselves—self-doubt is loud, and insecurity is real. So when you see something good, call it out. Name the leadership you see during group time, the creativity in their ideas, the courage they show, or the compassion they offer a friend. A simple, “You’re really good at that,” can stick with a teenager for years and help them see themselves the way God does.
• TELL STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE USING THEIR GIFTS. Teenagers are constantly looking for examples worth following. Share stories from Scripture, from your church, from history, or from your own life that highlight people who used their gifts to serve God and serve others. When students see ordinary people making a difference with ordinary gifts, it helps them imagine how God might use them too.
• CELEBRATE EVERY STEP. Teenagers thrive on authentic encouragement. When they take initiative, pray for someone, lead behind the scenes, serve without being asked, or simply show up consistently—celebrate it. Give them a shoutout, write a quick message, or pull them aside to tell them what you noticed. Small affirmations often grow into lifelong confidence.

And if you’re looking for new ways to help your students use their gifts, here’s one idea to get you started…

A good meal brings people together — but for many people, food isn’t simple. Food insecurity impacts more than one out of three people worldwide, and for many students, conversations around food can feel stressful, shame-filled, or overwhelming. In The After You Service Project, you’ll help teenagers understand more about food insecurity, learn why asking for help matters, and create a practical plan to support people in their own community.

There’s so much you can do to help students use their gifts. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’d love to help. When you use Grow Students Curriculum, you get everything you need to help teenagers build the habit of Using Your Gifts — weekly teaching materials, complete event guides, discipleship activities, small group conversation guides, and tools that help parents invest in their teenagers at home. We’re here to help you disciple students and help them grow in their faith.