{"id":359,"date":"2026-10-18T20:37:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T20:37:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/benchmarkbaptist.org\/?ministry=students"},"modified":"2026-10-18T20:41:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T20:41:06","slug":"students","status":"publish","type":"ministry","link":"https:\/\/benchmarkbaptist.org\/?ministry=students","title":{"rendered":"Students"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"benchmark-ministry-intro\">\n<h2>Truth, community, and purpose.<\/h2>\n<p>Explore how the gospel shapes identity, friendships, choices, and hope during the teenage years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"benchmark-ministry-sections\">\n<section class=\"benchmark-ministry-panel\">\n<h3>Start with honest questions<\/h3>\n<p>A student conversation can make room for questions about faith, pressure, belonging, and the future. The aim is to connect those questions with Scripture and a church family rather than offer easy answers to every struggle.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"benchmark-ministry-panel\">\n<h3>Discussion guide: identity in Christ<\/h3>\n<p>Read Ephesians 2:1\u201310. Discuss the difference between earning acceptance and receiving grace. Ask: What do these verses say about salvation? How does verse 10 connect grace with everyday actions? Choose one practical way to encourage someone this week.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"benchmark-ministry-panel\">\n<h3>A discussion format to try<\/h3>\n<p>Begin with a welcome and an icebreaker, read a short passage, discuss two or three questions, and close in prayer. A service project or shared meal could follow if approved and organized by church leadership. Contact leadership to learn about current student gatherings.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"benchmark-ministry-panel\">\n<h3>For parents and guardians<\/h3>\n<p>Ask about current student opportunities, adult supervision, communication, transportation, and permission requirements. Confirm all arrangements with leadership before attending or sending a student to an activity.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"benchmark-ministry-faq\">\n<h2>Questions before you visit<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>When do students meet?<\/summary>\n<p>Contact the church for current student gathering times and opportunities.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I bring a friend?<\/summary>\n<p>Ask leadership about the activity and any registration or parent permission needed. Friends with questions about Christianity should be welcomed respectfully.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Truth, community, and purpose.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"menu_order":1,"template":"","class_list":["post-359","ministry","type-ministry","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/benchmarkbaptist.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/ministry\/359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/benchmarkbaptist.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/ministry"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/benchmarkbaptist.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/ministry"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/benchmarkbaptist.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}