Relationship building goes far beyond the four walls of the classroom. There is power when we gather, and God will use the time your class spends together to cause everyone to grow in deeper relationship with Him and each other. Here are some ideas for nurturing relationships both inside and outside the classroom.

Grow as a group. Take time to learn about each other outside the normal structure of your group, creating a safe space for vulnerability and transparency.

Allow God to use you. It’s amazing what God can do in a group that is willing and ready to spend time with Him and each other! God will honor the time that you put in as you grow in your faith and build each other up. The return will be far greater than the investment.

Hold each other accountable. Don’t be afraid to speak the truth in love. Prioritizing spiritual health will set the tone for your class. Is someone struggling with the temptation to slip back into old habits? Encourage each other to live by God’s Word as you study it together.

Stay committed to the cause. Teaching a class should involve more than just showing up each week. Instead, immerse yourself in your students’ lives during the week so you can share God’s Word more effectively on Sunday. Your commitment to their ongoing spiritual growth and your involvement in their everyday lives will bear fruit over time.

Be flexible. Stay open to what God wants to do through you—both inside and outside the classroom. Don’t let your approach to ministry be so task- or time-oriented that you fail to allow room for the Holy Spirit to work. Let students operate in gifts of the Spirit during your class. Go “off script” if the Holy Spirit leads you there. If the Lord opens a door, walk through it and celebrate the Spirit’s presence in your group.

Create a safe space to gather. Your class time should not only deepen the group’s relationships with each other but also their relationships with Jesus. Foster an inviting atmosphere of worship—a place where fellowship and communion with God and each other can flourish.

Serve one another. Is someone dealing with car repairs and unable to make it to class? Is someone sick or injured and unable to make it to the grocery store? Is there a couple with young children who would appreciate a night out together? Whatever the specifics may be, volunteer your time. Go out of your way to show sacrificial love and support one another.

Communicate regularly. Check in with your group every week between gatherings. Maybe you could start a group text, prayer call, or Facebook page. Whatever you choose, come up with a way people can share all that God is doing. At my church, we have a prayer wall—an online platform to share praise reports and prayer requests. Your group may prefer something different, and that’s okay! The point is to stay connected and support each other.

Be open. We all bring unique life experiences to the table, and we can set an example of openness and vulnerability for the rest of the group. When you speak openly, other people will be more comfortable sharing with you in return and everyone will form deeper relationships.

Celebrate one another’s achievements. If someone has overcome a challenge, rejoice with them. Friendships deepen when we celebrate big and small wins together. As Paul writes, “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV). Celebration is a natural response to all God is doing.

Relationship building is a process. It may not happen as fast as you would like, but trust God in the process. Remember that He is still working. Keep Him at the center and everything else will follow.

Whitney Lee is an editor for Radiant Life adult curriculum.