Many people, both in and outside the church, live lonely, unconnected lives. They have developed the skill of navigating through life with weak and powerless relationships termed “friendships.” Yet, within most of these friendships they remain strangers to their hopes, dreams, fears, and sin. Small groups are an answer to superficial living. Today’s teenager is a product of an unconnected generation of adults. Different than their parents, teenagers want to talk, connect, and live life together in authentic, life-changing ways. Small groups within a youth ministry are a method to combat the bigness and isolation of our culture.

In small groups…

Students can be known, loved, challenged, discipled, and cared for.

In small groups…

Adult volunteers can discover the joy of being a shepherd of students.

Purpose

· We want students to be known and cared for by other students and adults.

· We want students to form deep, authentic relationships with peers and adults.

· We want students to grow spiritually.

· We want students to learn what it means to follow Christ.

· We want students to explore God’s Word together.

· We want students to see adults who love Jesus.

· We want students to view their small group leader as their youth minister.

· We want students to consider their small group experience as a highlight and one of the best time investments of their week.

What you’ll find in the following sections

1. Brief Leader Description

2. Theme verse

3. Four Keys To Leading a Small Group

4. Modeling Who you are

Small Group Leader

An adult leader who cares for/shepherds 4 to 8 students (ideally) within the context of deep relationships in a small group.

If an adult volunteer pours time, counsel, biblical teaching, and regular care into a student, he/she is playing the role of that student’s youth minister. We want our small group leaders to act as ministers to the small group students under their care.

The ultimate goal of the small group leader’s investment in students’ lives is to encourage them to grow closer to God. Help them mature in intimacy with God and the knowledge of the truth.

Theme Verse For Our Small Groups:

1 Thessalonians 2:8

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you, not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well because you had become so dear to us."

We loved you so much ...

Ministry without a pure heart is empty: ministry must be an expression of the love in our hearts for students.

...that we were delighted ...

There is nothing wrong with feeling good because we are ministering to students. In fact, we should train ourselves to take joy in serving students.

...to share with you ...

Sharing is exactly what we are doing ... we can’t force students to take what we have to offer.

...not only the gospel of God ...

Our shared gift to students is nothing less than the very gospel of God. We have the truth, and we offer the truth to students.

...but our lives as well ...

We are much more than college professors; we offer more than truth and facts. We must make large investments in relationships without worrying about the interest and return.

...because you had become so dear ...

One of the goals of small groups is for your students to become “dear” to you: know also that “becoming” is a long road paved with time.

...to us.

There are no lone rangers in a healthy youth ministry . . . remember that you are a part of a team; rely on them and be reliable.

Values for small groups.

Relational Approach

We value powerful and authentic community built on God’s love and deep relationships.

Encouragement

We value a positive environment that encourages growth, a place where God-infused potential is recognized and affirmed.

Laughter & Celebration

We value fun; Nightlife does not have to be a comedy show, but it shouldn’t be a funeral either.

Acceptance

We value a safe environment; accept people for who they are and where they’re at.

Transparency

We value real leaders: admit your confusion to some questions, share your struggles.

Involvement of students

We value student input and involvement; they should be doing 75% of the talking, and staff 100% of the listening.

Outreach-Oriented

We value the encouragement and development of evangelism. Pray for non-Christian friends.

Numerical Growth

We value numerical growth . . . there are too many unconnected students who need to be connected.

Spiritual Growth

We value our communities drawing nearer to God.

Homelike Environment

We value the feeling of belonging; when students miss a couple of weeks, they should be noticed; when they return they should hear, “It’s great to see you back.”

Intimate Relationships

We value personal relationships; these result in genuine trust.

Professional Demeanor

We value parents’ perceptions.

Strategic Follow-Up

We value the active pursuit in meeting special needs outside our walls.

Four Keys to Leading a Small Group

Connections

Superficial community exists at nearly every level of our lives, and we often settle for clubs and groups and miss out on powerful relationships. Your small group should be a safe place where people feel the freedom to be real and take risks in sharing their struggles. The first step to creating this environment should be taken by the leaders.

Commitment

"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." James 3:1

Your task is not to be taken lightly. As a mature believer, you have within you the ability to communicate God’s truth. Be committed with your diligence to prepare for your small group time. Follow up on important issues.

Authenticity

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16

Don’t seek to offer something to your students that you don’t have. Maintain a vibrant relationship with Christ. Make filling yourself up with God’s Word your first priority, and then passing that along to others will require less effort as you’ll be offering directly from your heart.

Maturity

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 6:11

What we hope you will do…

Model who you are in Christ

1. Be regularly concerned about your spiritual health.

2. Be the leader GOD created you to be.

Explore the gifts God has given you

Take risks, and be ready for the difficult

3. Pray for your students and other leaders

Mechanics

Youth Small groups are currently part of our midweek Nightlife ministry. Small groups currently meet after our worship session, where the topic is introduced. Materials are provided for the leaders, and posted on the youth web site, usually by Tuesday night.

Nightlife is normally on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 PM. Small groups normally gather around 7:40 or so. Leaders secure materials from the Youth Director, then find a comfortable spot around the church to meet.

Small group leaders can take as much time as their group requires.

Small group leaders should try to join the teens in the worship session as much as possible.