Leading Student Small Groups

1. Our Goal2. The 5-Jobs of Leading Student Small Groups3. Examples in Action4. Application to Your Church Youth Ministry

Our Goal:Deeply Committed Christians

Students & Adult Volunteers

What Success Looks Like: Students1. Students know God and have accepted Jesus2. Students have well-developed Wesleyan disciplines3. Students have 4-7 year track record of shared activities, learning,

service and growth4. Group is part of an engaged community of students, parents and

staff5. Students are full enabled and prepared to lead others

Deeply Committed ChristiansReady for College…..and Life!

What Success Looks Like: Leaders

1. Your leaders know God and are modeling Jesus2. Your leaders are passionate about working with youth3. Your leaders practice the 5-jobs of leading student small groups

Deeply Committed Christian LeadersFully Equipped and Engaged!

The 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups

The 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups1. Job #1: Set the vision and long-term goals2. Job #2: Practice the Wesleyan disciplines3. Job #3: Connect individually and build the team4. Job #4: Build the support base5. Job #5: Build up student leaders

Vision:Deeply Committed ChristiansReady for College…..and Life!

Long-Term Goals

1.Personal relationship with Jesus Christ2.Practice Wesleyan disciplines: weekly and for life3.Build Fellowship: one (1) off-site per semester4.Serve: one (1) service project per semester5.Take on leadership roles in youth ministry6.Hang together as a class through HS graduations and celebrate with an International Mission Trip together

Sample Wallet Card: Front Side(Church/Youth Group Logo)

Our Vision:

Deeply Committed ChristiansReady for College…..and Life!

Sample Wallet Card: BackThe 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups

1.Set the vision and long-term goals2.Practice the Wesleyan disciplines3.Connect individually and build the team4.Build the support base5.Build up student leaders

Small Church(1 Small Group)

Large Church(2+ Small Groups)

Set Vision and Goals:

With students & parents

Relentlessly Repeat Vision: Weekly with students 2-4X each semester with parents

Repeat in Every Communication

Set Vision and Goals:

With volunteer leaders

Relentlessly Repeat Vision:

Weekly with leaders In all parent communictations

Train by Sharing Leaders’ Success Stories

Job # 1 Set the vision for your leaders

The 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups1. Job #1: Set the vision and long-term goals2. Job #2: Practice the Wesleyan disciplines3. Job #3: Connect individually and build the team4. Job #4: Build the support base5. Job #5: Build up student leaders

Weekly In

Pre-Shift Meetings

Weekly In

Class

ThroughThe Year

Job #2: Practice Wesleyan Discipline

Weekly “Pre-Shift” Meeting Agenda1. Welcome/”State of our State”/Calendar Summary2. Reminder: Wesleyan Disciplines3. This Week’s Lesson Plan – key points4. This Week’s Training Moment

• Vision and Our 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups• Pick 1 Job and train with examples & suggestions

5. Joys & Concerns6. Closing Prayer

Weekly Class Schedule:

Discipline Activity Time

Worship Weekly Song/CD :05

Prayer Opening Prayer :10

Fellowship Opening Question :20 & Housekeeping

Discipleship Weekly Lesson :50

Tithing Weekly Collection :52

Service Joys & Concerns :58

Prayer Closing Prayer :60

WesleyanDiscipline Aug/Jan Sept/Feb Oct/Mar Nov/Apr Dec/May

Worship

Prayer

Fellowship

Discipleship

Tithing

Service/Mission Compassion Child Sponsorship

Semester On-going Calendar

Weekly Church/Small Group/Youth Group

Weekly Collection

Weekly Joys & /Concerns

Monthly Team Breakfasts

Weekly Scripture/Lesson

WesleyanDiscipline Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Worship

Prayer

Fellowship BBQ Movie Nt.

Discipleship

Tithing

Service/Mission

First Semester Events

Youth Group Fall Retreat

Student/ Parent

Prayer Walk

Service Project

WesleyanDiscipline Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Worship

Prayer

Fellowship Movie Nt.

Discipleship

Tithing

Service/Mission

Second Semester Events

Service Project

Student/ Parent Fund Raiser

Youth Group Spring Retreat

WesleyanDiscipline June July

Worship

Prayer

Fellowship Ball Game/Picnic/Park

Discipleship

Tithing Summer Fundraising Event

Service/Mission

Summer Events

Youth Ministry Mission Trip

Small Church(1 Small Group)

Large Church(2+ Small Groups)

Practice Disciplines in Every Meeting

Set Calendar Plan Together

Revisit Class Structure and Calendar Plan Weekly!

Set expectations w/leaders

Set expectation w/leaders

Train by Sharing Leaders’ Success Stories!

The 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups1. Job #1: Set the vision and long-term goals2. Job #2: Practice the Wesleyan disciplines3. Job #3: Connect individually and build the team4. Job #4: Build the support base5. Job #5: Build up student leaders

1. Lead with “opening up” questions2. Develop extended conversations with each student

Personal interest, activities, strengths/weaknessesFaith Journey/Needs/Next Steps

3. Follow-up your extended conversations consistently4. Love, pray and support each student individually

Each and every student encounter is a chance for positive reinforcement….be deliberate!

Job #3 Connect with Student

Job #3 Build the Team

Enroll your small group in an upfront process:

Set an identitySet the vision: deeply committed Christians ready for college…and life!Set one, multi-year, larger-than-life goalSet annual goalsEstablish the key benefits of making it happenPlan annual calendar togetherCreate facebook page together Re-summarize in every meeting, every email, every facebook, every text.

Job #3 Build the Team

COR Sample Small Group Names

Team Ichthus Christianity In our Culture

God Squad 2012 COR P.O.W.E.R.

The Men’s Room Sisters of the Spirit

The Real Deal Princesses of God

Body Building The Fruits That Fell Off

EquiopoJesus Girls of Grace

Job #3 Applied in Your Church

Small Church(1 Small Group)

Large Church(2+ Small Groups)

Connect with each student viaextended conversations

Build team identity, goals, calendar plan, and communication venues (facebook, email, and text)

Revisit Weekly!

Set expectations w/leaders

Set expectation w/leaders

Train by Sharing Leaders’ Success Stories!

The 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups1. Job #1: Set the vision and long-term goals2. Job #2: Practice the Wesleyan disciplines3. Job #3: Connect individually and build the team4. Job #4: Build the support base5. Job #5: Build up student leaders

Effective Small Group Leadership is NEVER Just About the Small

Group

Job # 4 Building the Support Base

Job # 4 Building the Support Base

Effective Small Group Leadership:

1. Enrolls and engages the students

2. Enrolls and engages their parents

3. Enrolls and engages the Youth Ministry/church staff & resources

Job # 4 Build the Support Base

1. Call each students’ parents individually

• Introduce yourself and your small group• Review group goals and ask for support• Ask “opening up” questions about themselves• Take notes

2. Follow-up with regular emails & calls at key program milestones

3. Pre-sell Youth Ministry programs & events

Always, always, alwaysreinforce your team’s vision and long-term goal(s)

Job # 4 Enroll Church Staff/Resources

1. Pro-actively share your vision, goals, and plans

2. Seek input and resources…avoid the twin sins of being insular and self-limiting

3. Identify synergies – leverage your small group in the larger youth group context

Work to DevelopGrowth/Expansion Opportunities for Your Students

Job # 4 Applied in Your Church

Small Church(1 Small Group)

Large Church(2+ Small Groups)

Lead from the pulpitExecute 5 Jobs consistentlyPromote continuously

Call & engage each parent2-4 “touch points” per semester

Revisit Weekly!

Lead from the pulpitRemind 5 jobs consistentlyPromote continuously

Set expectations w/leadersIntervene non-starters

Train by Sharing Leaders’ Success Stories!

The 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups1. Job #1: Set the vision and long-term goals2. Job #2: Practice the Wesleyan disciplines3. Job #3: Connect individually and build the team4. Job #4: Build the support base5. Job #5: Build up student leaders

Job #5 Develop Student Leaders

1. Engage students in small group/youth group leadership roles

2. Deliberately invest in each students’ development

3. Create room for he/she to practice & model leadership

4. Proactively ID opportunities and challenge your students to take on leadership roles

Bring Out the Leadership Potential in Every Student

Job #5 Applied in Your Church

Small Church(1 Small Group)

Large Church(2+ Small Groups)

Engage students in leadership roles

Create leadership rolesCreate leadership momentsLet students take them onCoach & reinforce

Revisit at key milestones!

Enroll adult leaders in identifying/enrolling students

Create multiple leadership tracksSet expectations w/leadersMonitor small group outputIntervene with non-starters

Train by sharing Leaders’ success stories!

The 5-Jobs of Leading Small Groups1. Job #1: Set the vision and long-term goals2. Job #2: Practice the Wesleyan disciplines3. Job #3: Connect individually and build the team4. Job #4: Build the support base5. Job #5: Build up student leaders

Summary:What Success Looks Like: Leaders

1. Your leaders know God and are modeling Jesus2. Your leaders are passionate about working with

youth3. Your leaders practice the 5-jobs of leading student

small groups

Deeply Committed Christian LeadersFully Equipped and Engaged!

Summary:What Success Looks Like: Students

Deeply Committed ChristiansReady for College…..and Life!

1. Students know God and have accepted Jesus2. Students have well-developed Wesleyan disciplines3. Students have 4-7 year track record of shared activities, learning, service and

growth4. Group is part of an engaged community of students, parents and staff5. Students are full enabled and prepared to lead others

God bless you and your youth ministry!!!