However, I do believe it’s important for youth leaders to make some attempts to know about teenage culture and understand what’s happening in the teenage world.

You don’t need to embrace their culture, and you definitely don’t need to become it. You just need to know what’s influencing them. Teenagers appreciate it when you seek to understand them; your relationships with them will create the relevance you need. I’ve never met a teenager who said, “Doug, I wish you dressed like me and listened to my music and hung out where I hang out.”

Your best resource for learning about student culture is your students. By peeking into their lives and culture, you can learn what influences their lives and impacts their faith. However, when students trust you enough to let you into their world, be careful not to destroy that trust by using their culture as a weapon against them. For instance, if a student watches a TV show you don’t approve of, resist condemnation. Instead, ask questions such as, “What stands out about this show?” or “Why do you watch this show every week?” Look for good conversations and teachable moments as you learn from students.

Learn about what influences your students. Find ways to get inside students’ culture. Begin by asking some of the following basic questions:

• What TV shows and movies do you watch?
• What websites do you and your friends visit?
• What magazines or books do you read?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• What are your favorite songs and types of music?

Take what they tell you, and begin your own investigation. You don’t need to watch an entire movie or read an entire issue of a favorite magazine to understand everything. You’re just looking for a small taste of what’s influencing them. Take note of magazine headlines; check out the themes of the TV shows; spend five minutes poking around a favorite website.

Allow culture to motivate you. Once you get a glimpse of what students spend time with, you can look for opportunities to ask specific questions and challenge them toward the next level in their faith. Take what you’re learning and connect it to your ministry to them.

When you get to know their culture, your ministry can become more relevant to their needs. Making references to their culture when you teach or talk to students can deepen their faith journey and draw them closer to God.