The life of a college student is not so carefree. Active shooters on campus are a real threat. A load of debt kicks in after graduation. The job market is bleak. Therefore, conversations with college students need to be attended by thoughtfulness. “What is your major?” and “What year are you in?” are okay, but “Do you have any job prospects?” can add to existing anxiety.

Some church members feel that college students are not worth the effort because they are only around for four years and don’t contribute much to the church. Personally, I am thankful for my church’s college students. They may be the church leaders of tomorrow, they are a privilege to minister to, and they often energize my outlook.

Here are four questions that may put college students within your church at ease and help you to understand their needs.

1. How was your weekend? Every college student I know asks me this question every Monday morning. So, I see it as a non-threatening way to get insight into what a student values beyond her studies. I prefer this wording over “What did you do this weekend?,” which insinuates that every weekend has to be Facebook-worthy. Be aware that on the college campus, weekends are times of increased peer pressure to pursue things that don’t honor God.

2. Have you met any other Christian professors or students at your school?  Have you gotten to know them outside of class? Secular schools are sadly lacking in Christian fellowship and encouragement. In addition, serious students don’t have much spare time to develop relationships. So, this question is designed to open your eyes to what Christian students face and inform your prayers. If you have professors in your church, please introduce them to the student.

3. What are some ways that our church can minister to you? Don’t presume that you know what students want and develop a church program around that. Instead, ask their opinions. And, I think students are more apt to be involved in something they helped establish. One advantage that the church has over the college is that it doesn’t treat people like numbers.

Those students who are motivated to go to church when everyone else is sleeping in are exceptional. You want to do everything possible to welcome and care for them.

4. Do you want to go to Chipotle’s? This is a question a college student suggested online, and it makes sense to me from a Christian hospitality perspective. Students may not have opportunities to get off campus or to be around people who are not 18 to 21 years old. Dining hall food is not that tasty, and some students don’t have money to eat elsewhere. So, taking a student to Chipotle or a similar off-campus restaurant may be something she would enjoy. In the process, you can get to know the student better and have a godly influence on her.

A country girl married to a city boy for 40 years, Patsy Evans experiences the full spectrum of what is it like to love a pastor and be the mother to two children in ministry. What she does know, she shares with you and prays it will glorify God. This article first appeared on her blog Sunday Women and is used with permission.