The Importance of Your Personal Note To Your Grads

It is the end of another beginning. Depending on whom you talk to, it is known as either “graduation” or “commencement.” The “graduation” crowd is mostly made up of the graduating Senior Class. They see this as the time that they finally come of age and bring to a close their childhood. At graduation, they tend to want to look back, to remember the fun things they did as children together.

Those who see this event as “commencement” tend to be parents, school officials, and youth leaders. We can see very clearly the future that looms just over the horizon for the Senior Class of 2015. We want our Grads to look ahead and make the wisest choices they can; choices that we adults know shape a person’s entire lifetime.

The surest way to see if a Senior is concentrating on “graduation” or “commencement” is to ask him or her a simple question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Upon hearing that question, some students will look a little sheepish, smile self-consciously, and innocently shrug their shoulders. Others will stammer out something that makes a little sense, but sounds suspiciously like something their parents would like them to say.

No matter how much your Grads want to focus on the past, their minds unwillingly sneak past graduation and look into the misty fog of the future. They wonder if they are doing the right things with their life. They question the directions they are heading. They hope everything will fall into place and work out well.

Youth leaders like yourself are strategically positioned to make a huge difference in a student’s life at graduation. We can help our Grads to celebrate their achievements. We can remind them of the great times they’ve had in high school. We can commemorate the fun, the commitments, the challenges and the obstacles that they’ve encountered. Most importantly, we can infuse this time with the truth of God’s Word and the power of His Spirit. We are, after all, youth ministers.

And sometimes, the last act we have is signing their yearbook, or a gift card, with a short message. What we write will definitely be read, and may be of great help to that person in the days and years to come. The ConGRADulations! Class of 2015 grad gift is a perfect vehicle for those messages. So, here are four suggestions that you can use as templates. Adjust them to fit your style and the relationship you have, and pray for each Grad as you write.

1. To Fringe Seniors – You’re stepping into your future, and I’d like to be there with you. Somehow I’ve lost touch with you, and hope that this gift will serve as an encouragement and a reminder — God loves you and I hope we can help you experience Him. Text me at { phone number }!
2. To Influential Seniors – You are a key person in the Class of 2015, and I thought you would appreciate this gift. The music can be a source of encouragement for you. I know that this is a big time of change in your life, so if I can be of any help to you in these last weeks of high school, please text me at{ phone number }!
3. To Any Senior – You’re stepping into your future… and I’d like to be there with you. Please accept this gift as an expression of my optimism about your future. The music on this album doesn’t just sound great; it has an important message for you. If you’d like to know more, give me a call at { phone number }!
4. To Key Grads From Your Group – I can’t believe it’s come to this. You’re graduating! Your role in this ministry has been HUGE, and we are really going to miss you. May these songs remind you of all the God has done in your time here. I can’t wait to see what He’ll do through you next!