If you’re a parent deeply invested in your teen’s spiritual and personal growth, you may be wondering:
• “Is this like spiritual direction?”
• “How does this fit into my teen’s faith journey?”
• “Does this focus on personal growth or something deeper?”
Great questions. Both Lil’ Bird Coaching and spiritual direction involve guidance, reflection, and growth—but they serve very different purposes.
| Lil’ Bird Coaching 🐦 | Spiritual Direction ✨ |
|---|---|
| Focuses on personal growth & practical life direction – Helps teens navigate real-world challenges like confidence, friendships, decision-making, and independence. | Focuses on deepening one’s relationship with God – Helps a person listen to the movements of God in their life and discern spiritual growth. |
| Future-oriented – Helps teens build self-awareness, resilience, and a sense of purpose for the next stage of life. | Presence-oriented – Encourages stillness, reflection, and noticing how God is at work in the present moment. |
| Uses self-discovery tools, coaching exercises, and structured reflection – Designed to help teens gain clarity and move forward with confidence. | Uses contemplative practices, prayer, and sacred listening – Designed to help individuals slow down and deepen their spiritual awareness. |
| Encourages action & decision-making – Helps teens develop a game plan for school, career, and relationships. | Encourages surrender & discernment – Helps individuals open themselves to God’s movement rather than seeking quick answers. |
| Relatable & practical – Engages teens through mentorship, creative tools, and real-life conversations. | Quiet & reflective – Often involves silence, deep listening, and inner stillness. |
| Works well for teens who are in a season of transition, seeking direction, or building confidence. | Works well for those who are spiritually seeking, feeling dry in their faith, or longing for deeper connection with God. |
• Meet your teen where they are—not as a theologian, but as a mentor who listens and asks the right questions.
• Help them process big life questions without forcing answers—empowering them to develop confidence in their own voice.
• Encourage personal responsibility and ownership—helping them recognize that their future is shaped by the choices they make today.
• Give them tools for navigating relationships, stress, and decision-making—practical wisdom for real-world situations.
• Create space for faith to be part of the conversation (if desired), but don’t teach doctrine or assume a particular belief system.
• Help individuals notice and respond to God’s presence—the focus is on discernment, not self-improvement.
• Encourage deep listening and contemplation—often guiding through silence, scripture meditation, and spiritual practices.
• Do not “coach” or push for specific action steps—the role is to help the directee recognize where God is already leading.