Characteristics of a Mature Christian Student

Written by Dr. Wesley Black

Each year in student ministry, we see a group of seniors move on from our ministry into the world of young adults. Hopefully, they are prepared spiritually to face the future with purity and faithfulness. But have we done all that we can to prepare them to take that next step? What do we hope to accomplish from the time they enter our student ministry until they leave at high school graduation? How do we best help them to become maturing Christian students?

What does a mature Christian student look like?
Such questions as this were the center of attention for a large, nationwide study of youth ministry. The Exemplary Youth Ministry study explored the churches doing some of the finest youth ministry in the country to determine how to guide youth toward Christian maturity.

In order to start, the study had to determine what a youth with such a vibrant, mature, living faith might look like. The following characteristics were used to describe the desirable outcomes of Christian maturity for youth.

A Mature Christian Student...

Seeks spiritual growth - Alone and with others pursues questions, guidance, and commitment through conversation, study of faith, reading the Bible, prayer, small groups, retreats.
Possesses a vital faith - Keenly aware of God present and active in one's own life, the lives of others, and the life of the world.
Practices faith - Actively practices faith in Jesus Christ privately and publicly through regular attendance at worship, participation in ministry, and leadership in a congregation.
Makes the Christian faith a way of life - Recognizes God's call and integrates one's beliefs into the conversation, decisions, and actions of daily life.
Lives a life of service - Involved in activities caring for others and addressing injustice and immorality.
Reaches out to others - Reaches out to others who are different or in need through prayer, hospitality, conversation, and support.
Exercises moral responsibility - Lives with integrity using faith in making considered moral decisions.
Speaks publicly about faith - Speaks openly about Jesus Christ and God's participation in one's own life and the life of the world.
Possesses a positive spirit - Reflects loving and hopeful attitudes toward others and life.

Of course, each of those characteristics has more detail, but this list will give you an idea of what is involved. This listing of desirable qualities of mature faith paints a fairly good picture of the outcome we hope to achieve as we guide students toward mature faith in Christ.

Wes Black is professor of student ministry and associate dean for Ph.D. studies in the School of Educational Ministries at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. He and his wife Sandi lead the parent ministry in the student ministry of Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

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