Small Groups - Children's Ministry
Building Deeper Relationships through Focused Sessions
Small groups are popping up all over the place as a means to provide a more focused way to worship by really getting to know individuals on a personal basis. Small groups are no stranger to Children's Ministry either. Children's ministers and directors are seeing the real value of offering small groups in their churches.
Why Small Groups
Small groups provide a way to minister to children in an intimate setting. Getting to know the children in your small group is important because it makes each child feel as if they really are special, as we know they are. It creates a safe place where children feel accepted. Small groups can change a child's life because of the authentic and meaningful relationships that it develops. Children are able to ask questions and get answers, where that does not always happen in a large group setting.
Steps to Building a Small Group
~~Keep groups small in numbers. In order for a small group to be effective, try keeping it to about 5 children or less, depending on the size of your Children's Ministry. This gives the opportunity for one adult to work with a manageable size group.
~~Set up your small groups based on the same-age concept. This way children will more likely participate in discussions when they are among peers. Putting different age groups together could lead to smaller children not speaking as much. If you find this is not working very well, you can always make changes, but only early-on. You want solid relationships to form as quickly as possible.
~~Consider having a large group worship time that focuses on a particular Bible lesson, and then break the children in to small groups. This provides a way to get a meaningful worship time in and then give children the chance to build relationships while discussing key points of the lesson together in their small groups.
~~Confidentiality is very important in the small group setting. A child who would not open up in a large setting may feel comfortable talking in a small group. If you break that confidence and share her thoughts and feelings in front of the entire group as a whole, she may not want to offer participation in her small group again. Also make sure that kids in the same small group know that they are not to share with anyone (except their parents, of course) what others in their group had to say.
~~Find a curriculum that encourages discussions and offers a small group leader to be a facilitator rather than a teacher. You want as much participation from the kids as possible. Small groups are not necessarily a teaching time, but a relationship-building time.
Tips for Successful Small Groups
~~Give the same attention to your children when you are not in a small group. Be approachable any time they see you whether in church or in a public setting. Don't just be friendly during a small group session.
~~Be your children's cheerleader. Make their successes a big deal and give frequent praise for things that they accomplish.
~~Keep in touch with members of your small group who miss a session. Let them know that you are thinking about them and miss them. Offer an invitation for them to come back soon.
~~Have fun with the kids in your small group. While you want the small group to have a fruitful outcome, don't be stiff and serious all of the time. If you have fun, your kids will follow your lead.
~~Pray for each child individually during a small group session.
~~Be consistent in your interactions with your small group. Then kids will become comfortable with you. Give them time to trust you.
Small Groups Change Lives
Small groups have so many wonderful benefits. You will be truly amazed at how God will work through you to foster a loving and rewarding relationship with the children you work with. Small groups have already changed the lives of many children because of the feeling of self-worth that they received in a small group. Are you ready to change some lives?
Small Groups in Children's Ministry
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