Group Leader Training

“Where there is no [blank_start]vision[blank_end] the people will perish.” Proverbs 29:18

What is our vision? To SEND OUT students who know God, find [blank_start]COMMUNITY[blank_end], serve others, and leave a legacy for Jesus!

Groups Vision “To multiply groups averaging [blank_start]8[blank_end] or more students while connecting students to Jesus and each other.”

PURPOSE OF SMALL GROUPS? 1. To align our ministry with our vision. We want our students to be in [blank_start]community![blank_end] 2. “Churches don’t grow in rows they grow in [blank_start]circles.[blank_end]” 3. To [blank_start]bridge[blank_end] the gap between Wednesday Nights and Sunday Mornings. 4. [blank_start]UNITY[blank_end]! – (1 Corinthians 1:10) • Unity happens in the context of consistent relationships.

GROUP EXPECTATIONS 1. Be [blank_start]Present[blank_end]. Your job MATTERS! You’re making a life-long investment in the lives of students. We need you here ON TIME and as consistently as possible to make an IMPACT! Let pastor know and Replace yourself if you can’t make it. 2. Be [blank_start]Relational[blank_end]. Small groups are not a time to lecture students on what they just heard. Listen to their hearts, guide discussions back to the point in love. KNOW their names. Try your best to give every student a chance to speak. 3. Be about [blank_start]Jesus[blank_end]. Your greatest job as a leader is to represent Jesus to these kids. Point them to Him and all that He has to offer them through the gospel with every opportunity you get. 4. Be [blank_start]Aware[blank_end]. You may have a new student each week you have small groups. Be aware of those people, introduce those people, celebrate those people, make them feel at home. 5. Be [blank_start]Patient[blank_end]. The first few weeks of small groups may seem a little out of control, that’s okay. Just be patient and remember that unity happens in the consistency of relationships! Over time, it WILL get better. 6. Be checking your [blank_start]emails[blank_end]. We know this one is the hardest to do, however we send out important information each week that leaders must be aware of, so please be checking those emails! 7. Be [blank_start]Praying[blank_end]. Always be praying for and with the students in your small Group. God can do in them, what we could never do ourselves.

1. Be able to handle a Salvation/Baptism Decision. Always have decision cards on hand. Ask if any students have made decisions for Jesus. If so, talk to them after small groups and ask them 3 questions. 1. How did God speak to you tonight? 2. Did you give your life to Jesus? Explain what that means. (To believe in the Gospel. The gospel is the PWR of God that gives salvation to all who believe. Romans 1:16) PWR= (Person, Work, and Response) [blank_start]Person[blank_end]= Do you believe in WHO Jesus is? That He’s the perfect Son of God? [blank_start]Work[blank_end]- Do you believe in his life, death and resurrection for your eternal life? [blank_start]Response[blank_end]- Do respond to Him as the Lord and Savior of your life? 3. Do you want to get baptized? (Explain the importance of baptism) 4. Fill out a [blank_start]decision card[blank_end] and make sure it gets turned in at the front desk.

TIPS: 1. START [blank_start]SMALL[blank_end]- Don’t expect to have a deep spiritual conversation when you first start. Especially with kids that don’t know you. Start small by remembering their names, laughing with them and getting to know their world. We as leaders can learn a lot about our students that way. 2. YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW [blank_start]EVERY[blank_end] QUESTION- If a student asks a question that you don’t know, send them to a pastor or tell them you will find out and get back with them later. 3. HAVE [blank_start]TALKING[blank_end] OBJECTS: Sometimes Small Groups can be distracting if everyone is talking at the same time. Or maybe you have a group that hardly talks at all. Use an object to pass around with the students, ONLY the student holding the object can talk. This helps limit the talking down to one person. 4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF [blank_start]FOOD[blank_end]: If there is one thing that remains true, it’s that Middle Schoolers LOVE food! When you bring snacks and food for your group you are speaking their love language. Also it’s a great way to make students pay attention and participate by promising them a treat such as pizza, chocolate, brownies, etc. the next week if they behave themselves well! Just make sure they clean up behind themselves. 5. RE-DIRECT RABIT TRAILS TO THE [blank_start]POINT[blank_end]. Never shut down a student for going on a Rabbit Trail. We WANT to hear them talk about what’s on their hearts, but a good leader will take what they have said and bring it back to the point. 6. Always challenge and Encourage students to participate but if they don’t [blank_start]IT’S OKAY[blank_end]! Remember, relationships TAKE TIME. Give them time to warm up to you. If you ever deal with a student like this take time to invest in them PERSONALLY outside of small groups. The best way to do this, is to ENGAGE in what they are already doing to create a bond between you and the student.

What are the WINS? 1. When leaders [blank_start]Inspire[blank_end] students to engage in deep discussion. 2. When leaders help students build [blank_start]relationships[blank_end] with one another. 3. When leaders point students to [blank_start]Jesus[blank_end]. 4. When leaders connect students to [blank_start]Sunday Mornings[blank_end] and [blank_start]Wednesday Nights[blank_end]. 5. When leaders encourage students to [blank_start]invite their friends[blank_end]. 6. [blank_start]Follow-up[blank_end] with parents and students that don’t show up.