The Essential Qualities Of A Healthy Small Group

Once in a while, I’ll see a former student on social media or run into them at a gym. I’ll ask them how they are doing, and the connection they had with the Church is still there. As the Director of Youth Minister, I have the pleasure of getting to know hundreds of teens, and over the years, I’ve been able to see many of them grow into amazing men and women.

While I could point to the success of my programs there is no way I can take all the credit. The men and women who lead our small groups are a significant reason as to why our former teens continue to grow. Not because I lead them but because they were lead by quality people and had certain qualities.

If you want a healthy youth ministry, small group community is where you need to go. While you might get stuck on content, format, or how many teens in a group, certain qualities matter more. On top of prayer and Christ being at the center, healthy small groups that lead to life long relationships have:

COLEADERS WITH CHEMISTRY

A small group can be successful with one leader, but it’s not easy. When you have two leaders that get along and build a rapport, it serves as a great example of how Christ-like relationships should look. To strengthen that relationship, create opportunities where your leaders can get to know one another.

I encourage new leaders to meet up outside before they begin and get to know one another. In our ministry, we emphasize trust and promote collaboration. Next time you have a meeting, have your small group leaders socialize. Encourage them to meet up outside of the ministry.

ENVIRONMENTS THAT ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS

Where your groups meet matter. I’ve never had full control over this. School classrooms are horrible, aren’t always conducive; however, space that creates a sense of welcome is vital. While you might not have full control over where your small groups meet, you can:

• Set it up before everyone arrives. Don’t waste time putting out chairs as teens filter into the room. Make sure materials are good to go.
• Offer food and refreshment. Environments involve more than a physical set-up. Encourage your leaders to provide snacks so that teens aren’t distracted by hunger.
• Takeaway devices. Ask them to turn off their phones so that notifications tempt them.

Groups that create a space where teens can fully engage will lead to deeper relationships because silly obstacles no longer stand in the way.

VISION THAT GOES BEYOND THE GROUP

While we hope for dynamic conversations, the real fruit comes from leaders who see beyond the 45 minutes they have with their teens. The leaders who reach out to parents, arrange outings beyond the youth group, and show up in other ways are the ones who make the most significant impact.

Remind your leaders that building trust leads to life change. Trust takes time and consistent interaction. It might seem overwhelming to ask them to do more, and that’s why you should:

• Offer a script that they can use when introducing themselves to parents.
• Going with them to a sporting or school event for one of their teens.
• Create opportunities where they can interact with teens (e.g., bowling night)

You might wonder if volunteers will spend additional time investing in their teens; however, if they know the vision and see you leading in that manner, they’ll jump on board. A healthy youth ministry is always one that grows beyond its regular programs.

Healthy small groups lead to life change. While you can mess with content and the size of groups, the real secret is intentional leadership and big picture thinking. Keep investing in relationships, and keep Christ at the center. It might take time, but your small group culture will grow large.

What other qualities lead to healthy small groups?

Want to learn more about building a small group culture? Check out our Small Groups From Scratch Course and more at MYMU:

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