Lesson Four: Take Time to Play. It Paves the Way.

Another tool in building bridges to students is to remember to enjoy life. Enjoy people. Enjoy the teaching, coaching, or parenting experience. Some of my favorite times with students have been playing a game with them . . . tennis, ping-pong, football, basketball, golf—whatever we can do together. When you play with them, they feel valued.

Last fall, on a guys retreat, some of our ninth grade guys slipped down to the lake and took a late night dip. Some of the students told me they were down there. I made my way down there to tell them to head up to their cabins. When I arrived, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to run in to the frigid water with them before sending them to their cabins. In that plunge into the lake, I connected with them in a way I never had before.

The connection you get with students when you choose to play with them allows you to have a voice in their world. We’re not playing only because we like to play. Though we may get accused of trying to regain our lost youth, that’s not really it. The play enables opens doors for us to share the message of Christ with them . . . and have them hear it. You may still have to be the adult that sends them back to bed, but at least you’re wet with them when you do it.

Zach Skipper has spent over 12 years working with students. He has served as a youth minister, speaker, and bible study teacher. He is currently leading Bigtime Ministries while part-time coaching at one of the country’s leading Junior Highs in Birmingham, AL. To find out more about Zach’s ministry, contact him at www.bigtimeministries.com.