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Be Present

Connect their faith to a community.

God created us for community

“God created us with a need for community” (Lead Small, Joiner & Shefchunas, p. 25). Adam was alone in the garden and he needed a companion.

I know that there are such things as extroverts and introverts, but each needs community. Extroverts need community to calm them down and introverts need community to pull them out. Community has a way of smoothing the sharp edges of our personalities.

I returned to college after I had been out of college for three years. I was 22 years-old. The church I was at prior to returning used me in a youth ministry role and I both learned a lot and garnered a lot of experience. Many people looked up to me and listened to me intently. When I entered a small Bible college community and talked, I learned pretty quickly that people had thoughts to and they would challenge my thoughts. I wasn’t used to this, but I really enjoyed it. Community humbled me, and continues to humble me as a 36 year-old! We all need companions and groups of people to shape our lives. God created us for community.

The story was from Luke 18:9-14 – The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Pastor Heath told the story and did a message about it. He had two chairs up front, each one depicting the tax collector and Pharisee. One key point was being honest about which one we are like: the Pharisee or the tax collector. Far more of us are in the position of the Pharisee where we compare ourselves with others (tape measure) and hold up our accomplishments (resume).

In my small group that night, I was ready to engage with the 8th grade boys. The story was very concrete and simple.

Surely our conversation could be simple and powerful in scope, right?

There were 7 guys in the group that night…

I recently read through the book “Lead Small” by Reggie Joiner and Tom Shefchunas. They do a great job breaking down the overwhelming task of leading a small group of children or youth into manageable and intentional pieces. Reggie and Tom discuss:

1. Be Present // Connect their faith to a community
2. Create a Safe Place // Clarify their faith as they grow
3. Partner with Parents // Nurture an everyday faith
4. Make it Personal // Inspire their faith by your example
5. Move them Out // Engage their faith in a bigger story

Over the course of the next 5 weeks, I’m going to highlight and discuss each of these components to leading small. I hope this is helpful to anybody who is a small group leader or those who trains and leads small group leaders.

Wednesday Small Group Leaders Mission and Goals // 2013-2014

The goal of hwcYouth is to make disciples of Jesus Christ (of those who are not yet disciples as well as those who think they are disciples).

// Matthew 28:18-20

Making disciples is ultimately our goal, but for you as youth leaders, how that is played out this year may look a little different.  For Wednesday night youth we are focusing on the outreach aspect of ministry and yet still teaching the Bible which will be applicable for every youth that steps in the door. Here are the three primary goals we are asking youth leaders to focus on each Wednesday.

// 2 Tim 4:1-5

1. RELATE with your small group kids (gain a relationship)
2. FACILITATE DISCUSSIONS of Wednesday night teachings (in as many creative ways as you can) by sharing your testimony, by encouraging Bible reading, by loving words and affirmation, and by helping them understand Jesus and his mission.
3. CHALLENGE them to think, and move toward living God’s Way by pointing them to the Truth. (encourage living like Jesus)

We accomplish the goal and vision by:

Wednesday Small Group Leader Involvement Expectations // 2013-2014

Show up on Wednesday nights

Every Wednesday evening from 6:15-9:00pm. We are asking small group leaders to be present at 6:15pm to be there earlier than the students so we can be ready for them as a team when we open the doors. Small group leaders can leave when all of their students have left. The doors will close at 9pm. Everyone has to leave by 9pm.

Participate in the following events

The idea is to set a rhythm of events and get-togethers. Not too ideal, but realistic. Not a random plan, but strategic plan. Jeremy and Jessica will help you with any and all of these events. There is money available for food (unless you’re going to Famous Dave’s, then no!). When you’re hanging out with just your small group, make sure you have another adult around (i.e. a parent).

Wednesday Schedule and Guidelines // 2013-2014

6:15pm

Doors open, students check-in, then go to one of three locations:

Gym

Dodgeball or other large group game (Need 1-2 leaders in this room)

Main Street Theatre

Ping Pong, Carpetball, Air Hockey, Fooseball, Bouldering Wall, and board games (Need 1-2 leaders in this room)

Fireside Room

High School Students only. Coffee, table games, hang out room (Need 1-2 leaders in this room)

Students must be in one of these three areas. All the other rooms in the church are locked and secured. Outside doors are NOT propped open and are checked frequently as well as nooks and crannies.

Students are not allowed to be outside the building, on the property, on the playground, behind the garage, in the parking lot, or in their vehicles.

Gym and the Fireside Room shut down around 6:55pm.

7:00pm

Program begins in the Main Street Theatre. Students will sit at a 48” circle table with their small group and leader by grade and gender with their small group leader sitting with them.

Program Schedule

7:00-7:20pm // Welcome, Announcements, and Large Group Game

7:20-7:30pm // Table Game/Sharing

7:30-7:45pm // Worship

7:45-8:00pm // Storytelling

8:00-8:30pm // Small Group Time

8:30pm

Students can hang out in the Gym and eat snacks (snacks may not leave the Gym). When the snack crowd has abated, the basketballs, volleyballs, and a football can be brought out.

Students can be in the Gym, or in the hallway and the foyer. ALL other rooms in the church building will be closed and locked down. The hallway will be closed, the doors locked, and inaccessible. The sanctuary is off-limits.

Students may not be outside until their ride is present, or until they are driving away. Parents need to come inside to pick up their son or daughter.

9:00pm

The building is shut down. Lights are turned off. The Gym and Kitchen are closed. Adults leave.

Students need to be picked up by 9pm (at the latest). A parent can come anytime between 8:30-9:00pm to pick up their child.