“How to make Small Groups Win for High Schoolers” Notes

These are my notes from the “How to make Small Groups Win for High Schoolers” Breakout session at the Orange Conference 2020. Frank Gil led this breakout.

God uses people! Create the right place or environment where you can nurture relationships.

Small groups is the answer to everything. Nurture relationships with parents, disciple students, evaluate the health of our ministry is all through small groups.

Improve Your Structure: 

• Organize to be Organic. Someone has to own the small groups. Underclassmen need more structure. Upperclassmen can be a little more free-flowing. Chase the rabbit trails. Small groups should be somewhere between 6-12 people (no more than 12). Common interest matters. Organize by gender, grade and then location or schools. Guest are always welcome. Plug them into a group.
• Think Steps, Not Programs. Programs need to move students to small groups.
• Move to the Rhythm. Small groups will be shaped by the year calendar. Consider the life-cycle of a small group. Maybe it’s the school year. Maybe it’s longer, maybe is shorter. Celebrate the year when it’s over.

Empower Your Leaders:

• Expect More, Not Less. Small Group leaders are the most important leaders in your ministry. Leaders know they are doing something that matters. Leaders know what you want them to do (set clear expectations). When you do this they know you believe in them!
• Play Favorites. Your small group leaders make it to your short list. You make time for them. Make sure they are growing.
• Win Before You Begin. Have your best leaders recruit your best leaders for you. Have them recruit. It’s a process, not an event. Have a pipeline to get them into your ministry.

Create Amazing Experiences:

• Have Imaginary Conversations. Set them up so that they can succeed in their small groups. What you say to leaders during the week so that they say that to their kids in small groups. Lead them. Gather your team together to pray.
• Control the Climate. Make sure the physical space is welcoming! Limit distractions.
• Measure What Seems Unmeasurable. Count the numbers. Are they inviting friends, are there baptisms. Read the crowd. Read the students, parents and small group leaders. Ask questions – who is showing up? Why are they showing up? What are the stories that happened in their small group?

What stands out to you from this session about Small Groups? Share below or on social media using #ymsidekick and #OC20 when you share.

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