Sunday, August 31, 2008

“I baked you a delicious cookie.”

I strongly believe that positive life change happens in loving relationships. Therefore, if we want kids’ lives to be changed as a result of attending church, we need to create environments in which they can be in loving relationships. This is why small groups with consistent kids and leaders are so important. When kids develop relationships other kids and adults at church and feel loved and accepted, they are able to open their hearts and minds to what God wants to teach them.

An important question for small group leaders to ask is “How do I know the kids in my group feel loved?” If you can identify those signs, you’ll know you’re on the right track towards being a catalyst for change in the lives of kids. If, on the other hand, you realize your kids don’t exhibit behaviors like those listed here, it may be time to beef up your love factor.

My top 10 list for ways to know kids feel loved:

10. They smile when they see you.
9. They relax when you are near.
8. They run toward you to give you a big hug.
7. They look you in the eye when you’re talking to them.
6. They jockey for position just to sit next to you.
5. They do what you ask them to do.
4. They come back to church when you send them an “I’ve miss you” postcard.
3. They chit-chat with you as they are waiting for their parents to pick them up.
2. They draw pictures for you.

And the #1 way you know kids feel loved is...

1. They bake you a delicious cookie!

What about you? How do you know kids in your small group feel loved? Just click the comments link below and tell us what you think.

(photo by roboppy)

2 comments:

Lss said...

they don't want to move to a new group because they like you so much! (the sixth grade girls)

they hug you and tell you that they miss you when they've moved into a different group with a new leader (one of the now fifth grade girls that was in my group during her third grade school year).

they get real in conversations in small group

Carolyn said...

Great list, Milisa! Thanks for sharing.

On the flip side, one way to know that small group leaders enjoy the kids in their small group is...

...they use their small group pic as their profile picture on face book. :-)

We'd love to hear from more of you. How do you know that kids in your small group feel loved?