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)

The Weekly What What!!!

4 Ways Life Group Leaders are Spiritual Leaders

WALK WITH GOD: Active in your faith and a growing believer
We expect LifeGroup leaders to be spending time with God, praying and modeling the spiritual disciplines. We give plenty of grace for the ups and downs of walking with Christ, but expect leadership to be growing on their own. Most importantly we desire hearts that are sensitive to God’s leading and Spirit.

IN COMMUNITY YOURSELF: Pursuing healthy, Godly friendships and relationships
Just like we challenge students to join a LifeGroup – it would make sense that we value this as adults as well. We realize this is an additional commitment and possibly another night out of the week, but modeling community is critical as a growing adult.

MODEL: Actively pursuing accountability in your life
The LifeGroup leader has to have healthy accountablity in their life – the student LifeGroup is not the place for adult accountability and confession.

FAITHFUL: Attend a regular church service
Church attendance is also important in the life of a LifeGroup leader. We are part of our church and want to be connected to the vision and direction of our lead pastor. At the same time, we realize that LifeGroups are a pouring out, and we need to be continually filled up as well – church plays a role there for sure.

(this was adapted from Pastor Josh Griffin of Saddleback Church)

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