SM Connect Map

A tool that uses 4 stages to help connectors identify a next best step for their connectees to take.

Identifiers for a student ready for stage 1 connection.

The student doesn’t really know how to respond to the prompt: Tell me a little about yourself.

The student is interested in taking the Wayfinder test. (This test is designed for adults, but it can be useful for students)

The student knows very little about Crossroads.

The student feels/is disconnected from Crossroads Student Ministry.

Stage 1 Step toward discovery

Learn something about yourself

  • Do the Wayfinder experience, and then let’s talk about what you learned.
    • In what areas of your life are you a seeker?
    • In what areas of your life are you a receiver?
    • In what areas of your life are you a follower?
    • In what areas of your life are you a producer?
  • Let’s talk about what you think your strengths are.
    • Is your strength in making things happen?
    • Is your strength in influencing others?
    • Is your strength in relationship building?
    • Is your strength in strategic thinking?

Learn something about Crossroads

Learn something about Crossroads Student Ministry


Identifiers for a student ready for stage 2 connection.

The student knows how to respond to the prompt: Tell me a little about yourself.

The student expresses interest in getting more involved or connected.

The student feels/is disconnected from Crossroads Student Ministry.

The student used to be involved but isn’t aware of what’s going on at sites.

Stage 2 Step toward connection

Seeker: General connection

  • Question: Are you following, subscribing, getting updates?
  • Next steps:
    • Follow our social media.
    • Go to a connect event.
    • Subscribe on YouTube.
    • Subscribe to Crossroads Music.
    • Check out morning worship on Facebook.
    • Sign up for Remind texts from a site.

Receiver: Specific connection

  • Question: What’s your connection to the Weekly?
  • Next steps:
    • Text a friend you know is more connected than you are.
    • Get in a rhythm of online connection, whether it’s in person or online.

Follower: Team connection

  • Question: Where are you struggling with keeping connected?
  • Next step:
    • Serve on a weekend team at your site (FI, facilities, production, etc.)
    • Get in a group with some other followers.

Producer: Being a connector

  • Question: How are you helping others get connected?
  • Next step:
    • Invite more people to things.
    • Ask your SD how you can get involved on a weekly basis.
    • Use your social media to encourage others to connect.
    • Use your gifts in a unique way to get others connected.

Identifiers for a student ready for stage 3 connection.

The student has a thoughtful response to the prompt: Tell me a little about yourself.

The student seems/is connected to Crossroads Student Ministry.

The student expresses interest in things like “learning more about God,” or “wanting to go deeper.”

The student has taken the Wayfinder and is interested in thoughtfully discussing results.

The student has identified strengths and is interested in growing in those areas.

Stage 3 Step toward character transformation

Seeker: Consider

  • Question: What’s forming your beliefs about yourself?
  • Next step:
    • Can you download the Crossroads app?
    • Explore some other methods or resources for increasing mindfulness, awareness, and self-discovery.
    • Let’s talk about Camp.

Receiver: Accept

  • Questions: Have you said YES to Jesus in your life? Have you been baptized?
  • Next step:
    • Try a prayer of receiving Jesus. Pray it with someone. (I’d be more than happy to be that person.)
    • Get baptized as soon as you can. Let’s talk to a site director together to find out when that is.
    • Let’s talk about RELEASE-RECEIVE prayers.
    • What are some big questions you have? (I might not have all the answers for you, but I know some great ways to explore those answers.)

Follower: Move

  • Question: What’s holding you back?
  • Next step:
    • Let’s talk about what getting in a group might look like for you.
    • I’ve got some recommendations for resources.
    • The A word (accountability)
    • Get into the Word.
      • Use the YouVersion Bible app.
      • There’s Bible reading on the Crossroads app!
      • Use biblegateway.com.
      • Check out The Bible Project on YouTube.
    • Let’s form some habits. (See Stage Four)

Producer: Imagine impact

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • Next step: Use the following questions to come up with a custom next step for your guide.
    • What kind of impact do you see yourself making in the world?
    • Based on your skills and gifts and personality, what would you want to do that brings you joy?
    • Based on your skills and gifts and personality, what would you want to do that brings other people joy?
    • Take 24 hours to intentionally listen to God. What do you think He might be saying about your next step?

Identifiers for a student ready for stage 4 connection.

The student has a thoughtful response to the prompt: Tell me a little about yourself.

The student seems/is connected to Crossroads Student Ministry.

The student expresses interest in growth, discipline, or self-improvement.

The student has access to an adult leader (possibly the Guide) who has relational capital to speak truth into their life.

Stage 4 Step toward good habits

Seeker: Identify

  • Question: Can you identify five things you’d like to improve about your life through good habits?
  • Next step:
    • Identify a way you’d like to improve your life concerning money (getting a job, saving money to buy something, being more generous, learning about tithing, not being greedy, etc.).
    • Identify a way you’d like to improve your life concerning your mind (reading more, getting better grades, less screen time, better listening skills, etc.).
    • Identify a way you’d like to improve your life concerning your body (exercising more, improving your eating habits, drinking more water, etc.).
    • Identify a way you’d like to improve your life concerning your relationships (becoming a better listener, spending more quality time, encouragement, kindness, patience, etc.).
    • Identify a way you’d like to improve your life concerning your relationship with God (praying, reading the Bible, meditation, solitude, etc.)

Receiver: Release-Receive

  • Question: Are you depending on good habits to make everything better? Or are you relying on God instead of your own goodness?
  • Next step:
    • Pray a release-receive prayer over your money habit situation (getting a job, saving money to buy something, being more generous, learning about tithing, not being greedy, etc.).
    • Pray a release-receive prayer over your mind habit situation (reading more, getting better grades, less screen time, better listening skills, etc.).
    • Pray a release-receive prayer over your body habit situation (exercising more, improving your eating habits, drinking more water, etc.).
    • Pray a release-receive prayer over your relationship habit situation (becoming a better listener, spending more quality time, encouragement, kindness, patience, etc.).
    • Pray a release-receive prayer over your spiritual habit situation (praying, reading the Bible, meditation, solitude, etc.)

Follower: Commit

  • Question: Once you’ve made room to follow Jesus by releasing your own control, are you ready to truly follow Jesus?
  • Next step: ** Don’t forget: commitments work best with some accountability!
    • Make a commitment with your money habit situation (get a job, save money, be more generous, learn about tithing, don’t be greedy, etc.).
    • Make a commitment with your mind habit situation (read more, get better grades, use less screen time, develop better listening skills, etc.).
    • Make a commitment with your body habit situation (exercise more, improve your eating habits, drink more water, etc.).
    • Make a commitment with your relationship habit situation (become a better listener, spend more quality time with someone, encourage someone, be kind, be patient, etc.)
    • Make a commitment with your spiritual habit situation (pray, read the Bible, meditate, spend time in solitude, etc.)

Producer: Share

  • Question: What’s your real motivation for wanting someone else to have good habits?
  • Next step: **You can share with a friend, with someone in a group, on social media, with your family—anywhere it would be helpful to others.
    • Share any success you’ve had building good money habits.
    • Share any success you’ve had building good mental habits.
    • Share any success you’ve had building good body habits.
    • Share any success you’ve had building good relationship habits.
    • Share any success you’ve had building good spiritual habits.