Everything we do in ministry should be with the end goal of building relationships with them to show them Jesus. Facebook can be one of those ways to start or strengthen relationships with your students if done right. But we have to do more than just hope for building relationships through Facebook, we must be intentional in our actions and always follow through in person. Here are three things to keep in mind:
- See What Students Are Doing
The main thing I use Facebook for is to keep up with kids lives through the week. I love seeing what they’re up to, what they’re thinking, how they respond to different things their friends post, the kinds of content they post themselves, and all the joking around that takes place. Many times when I get to youth group, I end up having a conversation with the student about a Facebook conversation. So all you fellow introverts out there, instant conversation starter! - Don’t Stalk. Be Active. Use Lists.
Comment on your students statuses and posts. Even if you just hit the “like” button. Connect! Let them know your thoughts! At the same time, you might have 1,000 friends and only 200 of them are students, volunteers, and parents. I would highly suggest using Facebook lists. You shouldn’t waste time on Facebook, but with a youth group list, you are actually being wise with your time and seeing what is going on specifically in their lives. Here is how to setup and use lists: http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=768
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