Keeping Small Groups Small

For the past month, I’ve been leading the small group of new 2nd graders on Sunday mornings. It’s called a small group, but it hasn’t actually been small. Several Sundays there have been 14 kids in the group and fall isn’t even here yet.

When summer vacations are over, I fully anticipate the number of 2nd graders on any given Sunday to be 20 or more. That’s a class, not a small group.

While I’m becoming rather attached to all the kids in the group, the experience of leading this group of kids has increased my commitment to keeping our groups small on Sunday mornings. With small groups,

• kids get more opportunities to talk and kids learn when they talk.
• kids are more likely to pray
• kids are more focused because they don’t have to wait as long while other kids talk or finish their work.
• it’s easier to draw out quieter kids.
• it’s easier to really get to know kids.
• disruptive behavior is minimized.

As we gear up for fall, join me in the commiment to keep our Sunday morning groups small by (1) telling your friends how much you enjoy being a small group leader and/or assistant and asking them to do it, too, and (2) praying for God to send us more leaders and assistants.