Here is a list of the type of questions you can ask a student to dig into their lives and get to know them.
Conversation Tips for Parents
1. Ask fewer questions, listen more.
Students open up when they feel heard.
2. Share your own story too.
Mentoring becomes mutual conversation.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
