How to Help Teenagers Spend Time with Others

There are so many great reasons why many of us stepped into youth ministry. Maybe it was the promise of regular pizza parties, the unmatched chaos of dodgeball, or the strange joy of watching 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 students grow in their faith.

That’s the heart of what we do. We want to see teenagers know Jesus, follow Jesus, and build a faith that lasts. But as you’ve probably learned, helping students grow can be a little more complicated than it sounds.

• How do you measure spiritual growth?
• What “counts” as progress?
• Which habits actually matter over time?

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 discipleship, and they become the lens through which you see everything you do each year—your teaching, your events, and how you support parents and volunteers.

These habits shape the decisions, behaviors, and rhythms that help students grow spiritually over time. And anytime we see a teenager practicing even one of them, we can celebrate it as a real sign of growth.

So in this blog, let’s focus on just one of these habits—

SPENDING TIME WITH OTHERS

When we talk about spending time with others, we’re talking about intentionally building healthy, godly community. As adults, we usually have a general sense of how to do that. Teenagers, on the other hand, are still figuring it out—and they need guidance, opportunity, and encouragement along the way.

Students need to see what healthy community looks like and be invited into spaces where they can practice it. That includes building relationships with both Christians and non-Christians. Sometimes spiritual growth doesn’t come from another Bible study—it comes from friendships, shared experiences, or meaningful conversations with people who see the world differently. Those moments can stretch students’ faith in powerful ways.

So how can we help teenagers learn to Spend Time with Others? Here are a few practical ways to start…

• SPEND TIME IN SMALL GROUPS. Small groups are one of the most effective places for students to build community. In a consistent group with a caring leader, teenagers can open up, ask questions, laugh together, and learn what it looks like to follow Jesus alongside others. When leaders are equipped to facilitate conversation and genuinely care for their students, relationships deepen—and growth follows.
• CREATE CHANCES FOR CONNECTION. Your events play a huge role in helping students connect. They’re fun, loud, and sometimes exhausting—but they create shared memories that matter. Events give students permission to show up, be themselves, and build friendships in a low-pressure environment. Whether it’s a competitive game night or a creative challenge, these moments help students feel like they belong.
• BUILD INVITING ENVIRONMENTS. Before students will commit to community, they need to feel welcomed into it. Your ministry environment matters from the moment a student walks through the door. Fun is important—but so is creating spaces that encourage conversation, feel inclusive, and help students feel seen and safe. Moments like Move Up Day or an Open House at the start of the year can go a long way in helping students build connections early.
• CONNECT THEM TO THEIR COMMUNITY. Church isn’t the only place students spend time with others—and it shouldn’t be the only place they practice community. Encourage students to build healthy relationships at school, on teams, and in their neighborhoods. When teenagers learn to carry what they experience at church into everyday friendships, their faith becomes more active, authentic, and lived out.

And if you’re looking for new ways to help students spend time with others, here are a couple of great places to start…

• The Stick Together Challenge helps quip your group with a list of people in their lives, activities they can do to connect with each of them, and incentives to encourage them to take the first step towards spending time with others!

• Party Kits for Small Groups are literally fun in a box. You’ll create a few themed kits filled with everything small groups need to throw a party. Whether it’s a creative dinner party, playing sports together, or spending some time in the great outdoors, each kit will be packed with supplies and instructions to make these ideas a reality. These parties are designed to build deeper friendships and create a welcoming environment where teenagers can connect outside of your regular programming.

There’s so much you can do to help teenagers spend time with others in healthy community. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’d love to help. When you use Grow Youth Ministry Curriculum, you’ll find everything you need to help students build the habit of Spending Time with Others—complete event guides, small group resources, and tools that help parents invest at home. We’re here to help you disciple students and help them grow in their faith.