Here is a list of the type of questions you can ask a student to dig into their lives and get to know them.
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Conversation Tips for Parents
1. Ask fewer questions, listen more.
Students open up when they feel heard.
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2. Share your own story too.
Mentoring becomes mutual conversation.
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3. Pray for the students you talk with.
Many lifelong mentoring relationships begin on trips like this.
Conversation Questions
1. Start the Conversation
These help students relax and start talking.
• What is something you are really enjoying about this trip so far?
• What place on this trip were you most excited to see before we came?
• If you could spend a full week exploring one of the places we’re visiting, which would you choose?
• What kind of music do you usually listen to?
• What do you enjoy doing when you have a completely free day?
• What is one place in the world you would love to visit someday?
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2. Learning & Curiosity
These questions connect to the educational side of the trip.
• What subject has been the most interesting to you in school so far?
• What topic or idea has really made you curious lately?
• Is there a book that really stuck with you recently?
• Is there something you’ve learned in school that made you see the world differently?
• What site on this trip surprised you the most?
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3. Identity & Personal Growth
These questions help students talk about who they are becoming.
• What is something you’ve worked hard at that you’re proud of?
• What is something you would love to get better at?
• What kind of person do you hope to become in the future?
• When do you feel most confident or “in your element”?
• What kind of challenges have helped you grow the most?
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4. Calling & Future Direction
These are powerful mentoring questions.
• What kinds of problems in the world would you love to help solve?
• Is there a career or type of work you feel drawn toward?
• What kinds of things make you feel like your life could really make a difference?
• If you could learn from any expert or leader for a year, who would it be?
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5. Faith & Spiritual Life
These open doors for discipleship without feeling forced.
• Has there been a moment on this trip that made you think more about God or faith?
• What are some questions about faith or life that you’ve been thinking about lately?
• Who has had the biggest spiritual influence on your life?
• What helps you stay connected to God during busy seasons?
• What part of following Jesus feels most real to you right now?
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6. Service & Ministry
Since your trips often involve ministry, these are helpful.
• Have you ever been involved in serving others or volunteering?
• What kind of ministry or service do you feel drawn toward?
• When have you felt like God used you to help someone?
• If you could start a project to help people somewhere in the world, what would it be?
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7. Trip Reflection Questions
These are great while standing at sites.
• What stood out to you most about what we just saw?
• What surprised you about this place?
• How does seeing this in person change how you think about history or the Bible?
• What is something from today you want to remember years from now?
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8. Deeper Mentoring Questions
Use these later in the trip when trust is built.
• What do you think God might want to do with your life?
• What fears or obstacles feel biggest for you right now?
• What kind of adults do you hope to surround yourself with in the future?
• If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
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9. Classical Education Questions
• What authors or books have impacted you the most?
• Which period of history fascinates you the most?
• Do you see connections between what you study and what we’re seeing on this trip?
• What ideas or thinkers have challenged your worldview the most?
