Throughout this phase of meeting new people and gathering them to encounter Jesus, you are looking for students with a calling to reach their friends and help you host this new community. Everything you’re doing on campus in this phase is an opportunity to empower new students. Coach new students to join you in starting spiritual conversations using the Exploring Faith quiz. Invite them to help you host the Encounters with Jesus gathering, inviting their friends, bringing food, and leading parts of the conversation. Help them network map their connections on campus and empower them to start their own Jesus Encounter group.
Here are a few practical activities and skills you can use to equip and empower students on campus:
Having a spiritual conversation.
Use the script and the Exploring Faith Quiz card to train them how to start a spiritual conversation. Then set up a role play where they approach you and lead a conversation through the quiz.
Inviting a friend to InterVarsity.
Help them pick 1 friend to invite this week. Set up a role play where they practice inviting a friend to the next Jesus Encounter. Ask them to imagine they are inviting him/her and in 30 seconds or less, share why InterVarsity has been important and invite him/her to join.
Telling a personal story during Bible study.
Using the Leaders Guide for your next Encounter with Jesus, pick one of the suggested stories from Box 4. Help them think of a personal story from their own life and write an outline for a short 1-2 minute story. Set up a role play where they practice sharing their story during the Bible study.
Leading an Encounter with Jesus.
Use the Encounter with Jesus Bible study and the Leaders Guide to train them how to lead the Encounter with Jesus. Set up a role play where they lead the application section of one of the Encounters with you.
Sharing the Big Story.
Use the Big Story Handout to train them how to share the gospel and make an invitation to faith. Then set up a role play where they practice sharing the big story with you. Coach with encouraging feedback and specific adjustments to make.
You can adopt a campus. We can help.