As part of a new church plant, I have been thinking a lot recently about how we can be family with each other. Not “I’ll see you on Christmas and birthdays” kind of family. More like “pop in randomly, make your own cup of tea, and occasionally scrub my toilet” kind of family. The Acts 2 “having everything in common” kind of family.
Student life can be incredibly conducive to this kind of living, with more flexible time and shared flats. On the other hand, many students find university to be an extremely isolating experience.
So how can we help our students to buck the cultural trend of individualism and live as extended family? Here are some ideas to get started:
- Invite - Invite students into your life - not just the nice Sunday lunches (although those are lovely), but the messy weekday dinner, the food shops, and the tidying up before people come round.
- Move - Don’t just invite students into your world. Move into theirs as well. Instead of meeting at a coffee shop, try popping round their flat for a cup of tea.
- Squish - Try having student gatherings in student spaces. Untidy lounge? Ignore it...or tidy it together! Small bedroom? Unlike proper adults, you can pile students in very small spaces!
- Eat - Encourage your students to practice hospitality. Maybe start with one night a month when they all make dinner for their flatmates.
- Share - Take time to discuss needs within your student group. A good start is asking, “What are you struggling with this week?” Then ask if there are any ways that people within the group can meet those needs. Whether the needs are met through prayer, time, or physical resources, the opportunity to practice vulnerability and generosity is a key characteristic in a healthy community.
- Recycle - Recycle time. Instead of piling on lots of extra things, look at what you are already doing in your week and think, “Who can I invite to come along?” Then help your students to map out their week and do the same.
- Welcome - This family isn’t a closed group! Get to know your students’ flatmates. Make enough food for impromptu invites. We have the immeasurable privilege of showing the student world what God is like by welcoming them into family!
