“They Don’t Seem to Care If I’m There…”

They don’t always make eye contact.
They don’t say thank you.
Sometimes, they ignore your messages or shrug through your carefully planned activity.
And it’s easy to wonder:

“Am I even making a difference?”

Let’s be honest—leading youth can feel invisible.
But what you’re doing?
It’s sacred.

Because even if they never say it…
they notice when you show up.
And they ache—deep down—for adults who stay.

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Why Presence Speaks Louder Than Words

Teens are testing everything: authority, identity, faith, trust.
That includes you.
But behind the eye-rolls and silence is a quiet question:

“Will you give up on me like everyone else has?”

When you keep showing up—with calm, consistency, and compassion—they learn something bigger than any lesson:

“I’m worth showing up for—even when I’m difficult.”

That’s the root of spiritual strength for teens.
That’s how LDS youth discipleship ideas take hold—through people who stay.

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What “Showing Up” Really Means

You don’t have to text them daily or know every slang term.
You just need to:

• Be consistent. Come early. Stay late.
  
• Be curious. Ask, “How was your week?”—and mean it.
  
• Be calm. When they’re closed off, don’t panic. Stay near.
  
• Be Christlike. See who they’re becoming—not just how they’re behaving.
  

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Quick Add-On: The “One More Step” Challenge (3–5 min)

As a closing thought one night, say:

“What’s one more step you could take this week toward who God is helping you become?”
Have them write it on a card, fold it, and take it home. No sharing. Just commitment.
Next week, ask casually if anyone wants to share what happened.

That gentle consistency helps them feel seen—without pressure.

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Your Presence Builds Their Faith

You may never know the full impact.
But your quiet mentorship becomes part of their spiritual memory.

They will remember that someone showed up.
Not because they were fun, flashy, or flawless—
but because they were faithful.

That’s the kind of leadership Nephi’s Apprentice is built to support.
We give you tools. But your presence? That’s the real magic.