How Judy Shares Her Faith
Discussion/Reflection Questions
  1. What in this video stands out to you? 
  2. What did you learn from this video? 
  3. What action can you take this week as a result of watching this video?

How do you share the gospel with a student when you’re together? Let’s see how Judy did it.

Prepare

Judy is going to follow up with Cari, a student who filled out a comment card from a Cru meeting. Cari expressed interest in knowing God personally. Judy will meet with her to explore Cari’s spiritual interest.

First, Judy prays. She thanks God for this amazing opportunity and asks God to prepare Cari’s heart for the appointment. Then, she picks up her phone to set up the appointment. She sets up the appointment, letting Cari know she can bring a friend, and establishes a time and a place to meet.

To prepare for the appointment, Judy familiarizes herself with the four points of the “Connecting with God” booklet. The questions following each point are cues for her to sit and listen to Cari’s response. If you don’t have a gospel tract like “Connecting with God,” you can download Cru’s GodTools App. This puts gospel tracts like “Connecting with God” at your fingertips.

Judy also reviews her personal testimony in case she has an opportunity to share her own story. She looks for any “Christianese” phrases or terms like salvation, sin, and born again, and chooses less “churchy” words that any student would understand.

If you don't have a gospel tract like "Connecting with God," you can download Cru's GodTools App. This puts gospel tracts like "Connecting with God" at your fingertips.

Meet

At the appointment, Judy takes a few minutes to get to know Cari by asking intentional questions. As soon as she can, Judy asks, “Are you very familiar with Cru?” Depending on Cari’s response, Judy may want to explain Cru- as a school within a school or an organization with activities, retreats, etc. After explaining Cru, Judy asks Cari about her experience with Christianity. For example, Judy may ask Cari if she has ever been involved in a church. Then she listens carefully to Cari’s response, as it will give her further insight into Cari’s spiritual background.

It’s easy for Judy to transition to the gospel by asking, “Has anyone ever taken the time to explain to you how you can know God personally?” No matter how Cari responds, Judy asks, “Can I show you how Cru shares the good news about Jesus?” This gives Cari the opportunity to hear the gospel presented clearly.

If Cari agrees, Judy reads through “Connecting with God,” paying close attention as Cari answers each transitional question. A good evangelistic conversation is more of a dialog than a monologue. After reading through the prayer, Judy asks, “Have you ever made that personal commitment and invited Jesus Christ into your life? If not, would you like to do that?” (It’s important that you never pressure a student or make them feel awkward if they are not ready. Everyone is at a different place in their spiritual journey and you don’t want to push them away.)

Cari answers, “I don’t think so.” Judy shares that Cari doesn’t have to say yes right now. She thanks her for getting together, and asks if they can  meet again soon. In the meantime, Judy invites her to more Cru events (weekly meetings, Bible studies, retreats, etc). If Cari wants to do research on her own, Judy suggests checking out everystudent.com. This site explores who God is, answers a lot of common questions, and explains more about a personal relationship with God.

Cari answers, Yes she would like to invite Christ into her life. Judy would then lead her through the prayer, wrap up the conversation, and set up another appointment with Cari. The point of the next appointment is to help Cari grow in her new faith.

Here are some great follow-up materials for you to help your student understand her new life in Christ.

Next Step
Who do you know that you can explore their spiritual interest? Set up an appointment with them, prepare and share the gospel.
Next Step
Who are some students you work with that might make good leaders? Make a list of 5 students and begin praying that God would show you opportunities to help them step into leadership.

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You want to make a difference at your school. You care about your friends. You see the need. You’ve probably even thought, “Someone should do something.”

What if that someone is you?

The Reach Your School Playbook was created to help students take that step, and to give adults a simple way to support them along the way.

Made for Students, Helpful for Adults

This Playbook is designed first for students. It helps you take ownership, lead your friends, and build something that actually reaches your school.

At the same time, if you’re an adult, youth leader, parent, or volunteer, this gives you a clear way to come alongside students without taking over.

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A lot of students never take the first step. Not because they don’t care, but because they feel stuck.

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Uncertainty can keep people from moving. This Playbook breaks that barrier. It gives you a clear path so you can stop overthinking and start doing.

What This Helps You Do

This isn’t just ideas sitting on a page. It’s a practical guide you can actually use right now.

With the Playbook, you can:

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  • Lead with confidence, even if you’ve never led before
  • Build something that lasts beyond you

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a place to start.

“Start where you are, use what you have, take the first step.”

A Simple Path to Follow

The Playbook walks you through five clear steps. Each one is simple, practical, and designed to help you take action.

  • DREAM: Start with a vision for your school and what God could do there
  • PRAY: Learn how to pray for your campus in real, meaningful ways
  • GO: Take action, gather a team, and begin reaching people
  • GROW: Build a group that develops leaders and multiplies
  • SEND: Help others step out and reach their friends too

You don’t have to guess what to do next. It’s right there in front of you.

Built to Be Used, Not Just Read

This isn’t a long manual you’ll never finish. It’s short. It’s simple. It’s designed to move you forward.

  • Easy to read
  • Clear next steps
  • Real examples
  • Space to think and act

You can go through it on your own, or walk through it with a couple of friends. Adults can use it to guide conversations and help students take ownership.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Starting something can feel intimidating. But you’re not on your own. The Playbook connects you to tools, coaching, and a bigger movement of people who are doing the same thing. Take one step, and you’ll find support along the way.

Start Today

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a first step.

Next Step
Download the Playbook with the button above and walk through the first section this week with a friend!
Comment Cards 101: Capture Interest, Build Relationships

Why Comment Cards Matter

The most important thing you do in ministry isn’t running events, it’s building relationships. Big gatherings are great, but they aren’t personal. Comment cards help you bridge that gap. They give students a simple way to raise their hand and say:

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A comment card is more than a form. It’s a filter. The event gathers the crowd, but the comment cards reveal the ones who are ready. Instead of guessing who’s interested, students tell you. And that’s what allows you to follow up personally and meaningfully.

Download Comment Cards

Physical vs. Digital Comment Cards

You can collect information digitally, but physical cards still win.

Physical Cards

  • Higher response rate
  • Easier to complete in the moment
  • No distractions
  • Feels more intentional

Digital Options

  • Students are less likely to fill them out
  • Distractions
  • Technical glitches

Digital can work, but many ministries find they get about half the responses compared to physical cards. Even in a digital world, physical cards often get better results. If you want the most responses, go physical first.

“The card isn’t the win, the conversation is.”

How to Use Comment Cards

1. Pass Them Out at the Right Moment
Usually at the end of a meeting or outreach, when interest is highest.

2. Give Everyone a Pen or Pencil
Don’t assume students have one. They won’t.

3. Walk Through the Card Together
This is huge. Once everyone has a card, read each section out loud and guide them:

  • “Write your name here”
  • “Check this if you want to get involved”
  • “Check this if you prayed to receive Christ”

If you don’t do this, students rush through and check random boxes.

4. Give Them Time to Complete It
Pause. Let them actually fill it out.

5. Collect Them Immediately
Don’t leave it optional or vague.

Use Incentives to Increase Response

Want more cards turned in? Use prizes.

  • Gift cards
  • Snacks
  • Fast food coupons
  • Free merch

Tell them:
“Turn in your card, we’ll draw for prizes.”

It works. A simple prize can double your response rate.

Best Practices That Make a Big Difference

Use cardstock
Regular paper tears or gets ruined. Cardstock holds up better.

Keep it simple
Too many options overwhelm students.

Look through cards immediately
Scan for:

  • Students who want to get involved
  • Spiritual decisions
  • Urgent needs

If possible, connect with them before they leave the meeting. The best practice is to follow up within 24–48 hours. After that, interest fades fast. So if. you can talk with them before they leave and set up a time to connect again in the next day or so, you will get your best results.

Turning Cards Into Conversations

A comment card is just the beginning. The goal isn’t collecting information. The goal is connection. Use what they checked to guide your follow-up:

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  • Have a gospel conversation

Final Thought

Comment cards can feel like a small detail, but they might be one of the most important things you do at an event. They help you move from a crowd, to a conversation, to a changed life.

Next Step
Download a comment card and use it at your next meeting.
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Strong student leadership doesn’t happen by accident.

Whether you’re a student leading your peers or an adult supporting a movement, clarity around leadership can make a huge difference. These simple documents are designed to help you communicate expectations, invite the right students in, and build a healthy leadership culture.

They’re optional tools for any campus movement, not requirements, but many teams find them incredibly helpful.

Student Leadership Application

This application is a simple way for students to express interest in leadership and for you to get to know them better. It creates space for students to share their story, their faith, and why they want to lead. It also helps ensure they understand the purpose and message of your ministry before stepping into a leadership role.

Leaders often use this as a starting point for conversations, discernment, and development, not just as a form to collect.

Student Leadership (Editable Document)
Student Leadership Application (PDF)

“Great leadership starts with clarity, not assumptions.”

Model Student Covenant

This covenant helps define what it means to be a student leader in your group. It clearly communicates expectations, both in character and commitment, and gives students a chance to step in with understanding and ownership. Because it’s customizable, you can adapt it to fit your local context, adding practical expectations that make sense for your team.

Many leaders use this as part of training or onboarding, helping students not just say “yes” to leadership, but understand what they’re saying yes to.

Model Student Covenant (Editable Document)

Next Step
Review these documents and choose one to use with your leadership team this semester:

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