You encourage, help, and show lots of patience. When young people are trying to figure out what life and faith are all about, they need to be encouraged and affirmed, not immediately corrected. They need to feel safe in their learning. Never bulldoze your group toward a conclusion. Of course, the group should stay focused on the subject, but don t feel that you must resolve all loose ends in 45 minutes.
Discussion is squelched when young people feel pressured to resolve all issues.
Freedom to say what you think. Young people often feel penalized if they say what they really think especially if what they think disagrees with the public position of a church or church leader. Small wonder that adolescents are reluctant to express their actual feelings, or even carefully think through all their options. Just remember that giving your students the space to say whatever it is they believe does not imply that you either agree or disagree with their ideas. It simply means that you approve of their right to introduce their ideas into the arena of discussion.