In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza and Brad Griffin of Fuller Youth Institute explore the impact of mentoring teenagers, with a focus on identity, belonging, and purpose. Brad, drawing from his research at the Fuller Youth Institute, stresses the importance of genuine connections with young people and fostering safe environments where they can express their thoughts and emotions. The discussion underscores the value of trust, active listening, and guiding teens toward purpose through meaningful service and community engagement.
You can checkout Brad's book, Three Big Questions here). To get free resources or find out more information about Fuller Youth Institute, visit https://fulleryouthinstitute.com/).--
Takeaways:
- Mentoring is about listening to teenagers' questions.
- Identity, belonging, and purpose are crucial for youth.
- Building trust is essential in mentoring relationships.
- Creating a safe space allows teens to be authentic.
- Helping others gives teenagers a sense of purpose.
- Mentors should not have an agenda when engaging with youth.
- Follow-up conversations show care and build trust.
- Teens often feel pressure from expectations around them.
- Community and church can provide a sense of belonging.
- God's will for our lives is broad and forgiving.
--
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Mentoring and Identity
07:32 Exploring Identity, Belonging, and Purpose
15:32 Building Trust and Authentic Relationships
23:20 Creating Safe Spaces for Teens
33:20 Understanding Purpose and Community
--
It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review". On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show". Thank you!Also, check out our National Christian Mentoring Gathering, which is April 16-18, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com
