Senior year is a stressful year. The most commonly asked questions for a senior in high school is, “Where are you going to college?” and “What’s going to be your major?” Many students don’t know the answer to these questions. This messaging sends a signal to students that their identity is somehow bound up in the answer to those two questions. Ultimately, students need to understand their identity is found—first and foremost—in their relationship with God in Christ.

In a previous post, I encouraged churches to adopt an emphasis on students during their senior year. During that year, churches have a unique opportunity to help minister to students both in guidance, celebration, and in launching them into the next phase of life.

I also alluded to a series of discussions that would helpful to have with seniors over the course of that year. In this post, I’d like to focus on what I would consider to be some of the most helpful topics to cover in that time.

1. Identity in Christ

Senior year is a stressful year. The most commonly asked questions for a senior in high school is, “Where are you going to college?” and “What’s going to be your major?”

Many students don’t know the answer to these questions. This messaging sends a signal to students that their identity is somehow bound up in the answer to those two questions. Ultimately, students need to understand their identity is found—first and foremost—in their relationship with God in Christ.

Now, to be clear, any gospel-proclaiming church should’ve been teaching this from the beginning, but senior year provides a unique opportunity to press that truth into a particular (and nerve-racking) context.

2. Stewardship

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but college is expensive. Students are faced with a financial decision that can potentially leave them with debt for years.

Developing the idea of our life and finances as something given to us by God to steward can help students think more clearly about the decision.

Is going into years of debt going to help or hinder their ability to serve the kingdom of God? Students wishing to go on the mission field will not be able to serve there until most or all of that debt is paid off.

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