Know Your Kids

Your top priority as a small group leader is to build relationships with the kids in your group. Get to know them and what is going on in their lives. Your caring about each kid personally will open up opportunities for God to speak to them through you. If a kid doesn't feel like you care about him, he won't want to listen to what you have to say to him and he won't be open to hearing that God cares about Him. So jump in and have fun getting to know the kids God has put in your group. Then, watch what God does in their lives over time.

Ways you can get to know your kids:

• Learn their names and meet their parents.
• Take advantage of the free time before and after your program to ask your kids questions about their families, pets, sports, music, vacations, school, etc.
• Ask open-ended questions instead of yes/no questions.
• Pay attention to what each kid says and remember from week to week what their likes and dislikes and joys and struggles are. Ask them questions from week to week that reflect you care about them as people.
• Make an effort to attend a music program, sporting event or other special activity that each child is in over the course of the year.
  
• As you get to know your kids and figure out where they are spiritually, adjust your plans to nurture them more effectively in their spiritual journey.
• HAVE FUN WITH THEM :-)