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.

What’s The “Win” for a Small Group Leader?

There are many things small group leaders can try to do well, but we need to know what the ultimate “win,” or "mark of success," is so we can continue to strive toward that.

For small group leaders, the “win” is changed lives. Small group leaders are the people who get to be on the front lines of ministry, helping kids understand how Biblical principles relate to their lives, helping them internalize Scripture, and teaching them spiritual disciplines like how to pray.

You know you are making headway in your ministry when…

• kids become more comfortable praying aloud and do it more frequently
• kids tell you about prayers they pray when they aren’t in church
  
  
• kids memorize verses and understand how to apply them to their lives
• kids make practical applications of the Biblical principles you are discussing
• kids tell you how they applied the previous week’s lesson or how they have made a wise choice during the week
  
  
• kids begin to treat others with more respect
  
  
• kids demonstrate an increased level of faith in Christ as they discuss difficult situations they (or others in your group) face. When their response to these situations is to pray, they are demonstrating faith.
  

Some ways to promote life change (apart from prayer)

• Tell kids how God is answering your prayers so they can see that God really does hear and respond to us.
• Ask kids how God is answering their prayers. Be sure to have kids thank God for His answers.
• Encourage kids to pray when they face difficult situations.
  
  
• As kids learn the monthly verse, make sure they understand what it means and how it applies to their lives. Learning Bible verses isn’t enough. The need to understand how God's Word can change their lives.
  
• Make sure each kid leaves small group with one concrete way to apply the lesson.
• Use prayer time to have each child ask for God’s help to apply the lesson.
• Ask kids from week to week how they applied last week’s lesson.
• Share your experiences of applying Scripture to your life.
  
  
• Encourage kids to treat others with respect (listen when others are talking, use kind words, offer to help others, etc.)

Each week keep an eye out for any evidence that God is at work in the lives of your kids and celebrate that!

Have a great small group this week!