5 Ways to Help Your Teen Grow Closer to Christ: A Guide for Parents
As a parent, you want your teen to not only succeed academically but to grow spiritually as well. It can be challenging to guide your child in developing a personal relationship with Christ, especially in a world full of distractions. You might find yourself wondering how to help them:
- Stay grounded in their faith
- Build meaningful connections with other believers
- Cultivate a deep, faithful walk with God
At Concordia Academy, we’ve worked with high schoolers — and their parents — for more than 135 years, and we’re happy to share five ways we’ve found to help your teen grow closer to Christ.
1. Connect Them with Faith-Based Peer Groups
We all know how important friendships are during the high school years, and you want your teen to have friends who are a positive and encouraging influence.
At Concordia, our Family Life Groups are designed to engage all students, from freshmen to seniors, in a small, faith-based community. These groups aren’t just another activity — they’re an integral part of our Scripture and Life curriculum.
What’s truly special about these groups is that they are student-led. Our seniors, who receive training and support from faculty through our Vision4Life curriculum, guide Bible studies and activities that encourage spiritual growth across all age levels. We believe that when students take ownership of spiritual activities in this way, it has a powerful impact on the entire community.
In fact, we’ve seen students who were once hesitant about their faith begin to open up and engage simply because they are surrounded by friends who encourage them to grow in Christ.
Other ways teens help each other:
Lunch Table Conversations
In recent years, we’ve noticed students gathering at lunch to dive into Scripture and respectfully debate spiritual questions.
Voluntary Bible Studies
Many students gather each week for a student-led Bible study that continues to grow and build connections.
Retreats
During the first week of school, seniors attend an overnight retreat. They have time to worship together, reconnect with friends, and build one another up.
2. Support Personal Bible Study
Developing a consistent Bible study routine can be tough at any age — especially for high schoolers. Between packed schedules filled with sports, cocurricular activities, and homework, it’s easy for personal time in the Word to take a back seat. Yet, personal Bible study is one of the most crucial ways for students to grow in their relationship with Christ.
How can we help teens with that?
First, we encourage students to read and memorize verses and see how God’s Word connects to their personal stories. This helps students develop a deeper connection with the Bible by showing how its teachings relate directly to their own experiences, emotions, and thoughts. During all the changes of the teen years, students benefit from being reminded of just how much God loves them and is there for them.
We also regularly encourage students to be in the Word during chapel services, Family Life Groups, and other school events, and we advise teens to set aside some margin in their busy schedules to stay grounded in Scripture.
Parents can support this habit by modeling Bible study at home, reinforcing the importance of a personal relationship with Christ.are five ways we’ve found to help your teen grow closer to Christ.
3. Model Christ-Centered Living
Teens are incredibly perceptive, and they look to the adults in their lives, both at school and at home, for guidance on what it means to follow Christ.
Our teachers and staff are deeply committed to demonstrating what it looks like to lead a life of faith, so we:
- Lead devotions and attend chapel services
- Are fully present for our students, and we show up for them in the classroom, in the hallways, at their games, and in cocurriculars — always ready to engage in conversations that matter
- Show that following Christ isn’t confined to Sunday mornings or religious events but, instead, woven into every decision, conversation, and action
- Serve alongside teens during missions and outreach work
- Pray with and for students
When students see these values consistently demonstrated, it reinforces how their faith can be integrated into all aspects of life — from school to friendships to the challenges they face.
4. Foster Meaningful Conversations about Faith
Teenagers today navigate challenging questions about identity, purpose, and faith. As parents, you know how important it is to have open conversations with your teen, but starting those discussions can sometimes feel daunting. At Concordia Academy, we work to create an environment where these conversations are encouraged and a natural part of daily life.
Beyond Family Life Groups and chapel, we:
Understand the ‘Why’
To give a better answer, it helps to understand where the question is coming from. Has the teen experienced loss? Are they fearful? With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we try to give meaningful answers.
Partner With Parents
We developed an at-home Bible study to accompany what we discuss in chapel and Family Life Groups. This encourages deeper discussion at home with parents and family members.
Equip Students To Lead
Students learn how to plan, prepare, and lead Bible studies — including how to think critically and research accurately. When teens have questions, they can ask a staff member or a peer.
5. Create Opportunities for Serving Others
One of the most effective ways for teens to grow in their faith is through following Christ’s example and serving others.
At CA, we offer a variety of service opportunities, from our Vision4Life event to National Honor Society projects and individual class service initiatives. Each service project is just as impactful for our students as it is for the people we serve.
Our students see the world’s brokenness, and they respond. They begin to understand that serving is what living out the Gospel looks like—that this is following in Jesus’ footsteps.
