The Weekly What What - Oct. 26th

6 Ways to Encourage LifeGroup Students to Take a Next Step

October 29th, 2009

Here are 6 ways LifeGroup leaders can help students grow on their own:

Think About the Individual
The large group setting is more objective and big picture look at Scripture and challenges students in the crowd. The LifeGroup setting is totally subjective, allowing students to be challenged individually because they are known and cared for. A LifeGroup leader can think about the individual by reflecting how God has been moving in their hearts. Maybe even replay discussions you’ve had with your students over the past month. Then suggest a resource (or HABITS tool) that fits where God is moving their heart.

Personalize a Resource
When you find the right resource, take time to write a note in the front of it. Make it personal to them, share your heart why you wanted them to have it and speak into the future you see for them. When you hand a resource to someone, it says a lot – but why not say even a little more and jot a few thoughts inside the cover.

Encourage a Small Step
A baby step is still a step forward, and sometimes we have to remember that spiritual growth doesn’t come in leaps and bounds. Sometimes, the small steps are huge to a student, encourage a step, no matter the size.

Encourage a Big Step
Blow their mind with something out of their league. Think bigger than they think of themselves. Believe in them enough to challenge them to bite off something huge. Tell them they are up for the challenge and think they can do it.

Offer to go through the study/book/resource with them
What if you did it alongside them, too? Help them know you are serious by offering to walk down the path a ways with them. Maybe it is reading a few chapters with them, maybe serving with them a few weeks, maybe texting back and forth with questions and thoughts about what they are reading. “Grow on your own” doesn’t release us from helping students down the road a bit, too.

Follow-up in a few weeks and see how things are going
Giving resources away to students and encouraging them to grow is what we’re all about. But better leadership is to offer some accountability and checking in on their progress. The accountability encourages an expectation that they can and will get through this, and you are partnering with them in these steps of the spiritual journey.

Next steps in spiritual growth aren’t easy, but they can be life-changing. What other ways can small group leaders encourage students to take a “next step” in their spiritual growth?

(adapted from Pastor Josh Griffin @ Saddleback Church)