NextLevel Online: Training for Children's Discipleship and Ministry: For Leaders, Volunteers and Parents

Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Groups

In this session, volunteers explore their own discipleship journeys through a creative activity before delving into the dynamics of leading discussions in children's ministry small groups. Through practice, discussion, and reflection, volunteers identify strategies to foster connections to God and each other, concluding with actionable steps to enhance their small group leadership skills.
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Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Groups

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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Lesson
18:42Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small GroDiscipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Gro

Session 4 Leader Guide

Session 4: Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Groups

Opening Activity Idea:

● Provide a piece of paper and something to write with to every volunteer.

● Ask them to draw an image that represents their discipleship journey

● Have them add to their drawing the individuals and groups that were important in their discipleship.

● Ask for volunteers to share their drawings.

Preparation for video content or lead your volunteers in reviewing the content (see handout)

Space for Connection:

  • Connection to God

  • Connection with leaders

  • Connection with other students

Space for Conversation (how to lead discussion)

  • Plan

  • Start the conversation

  • Guide the discussion

  • Create time for quiet

  • Listen well

  • Watch non-verbal cues

  • Allow for participation

  • Conclude the discussion well

Practice together:

● Choose a Bible story (example: Parable of the Good Samaritan)

● Divide into small groups. Ask each group to write 4-5 discussion questions/prompts that could guide a discussion of the story.

Discussion:

● List ways you can help kids connect to God in your small group time.

● How have you seen kids connect with others during small group? List ways to facilitate this.

● What struggles do you have in leading a conversation in your small group?

Concluding Activity:

● Review the list of ways to help kids connect to God and one another. Identify something you could try during your next small group.

● Identify one thing you can try to lead a discussion differently during your next small group.

● As a group, brainstorm ways leaders can appropriately connect to the kids in their small group.

Ask each leader to commit to one of these activities in the next month.

Session 4 Handout

Session 4: Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Groups

Introduction:

Space for Connection:

  1. Connection to God

  2. Connection with leaders

  3. Connection with other students

Space for Conversation:

  1. Plan

  2. Start the conversation

  3. Guide the discussion

  4. Create time for quiet

  5. Listen well

  6. Watch their non-verbal cues

  7. Allow for participation

  8. Conclude the discussion well

Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Groups Instructions

Lesson
18:42Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small GroDiscipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Gro

Session 4 Leader Guide

Session 4: Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Groups

Opening Activity Idea:

● Provide a piece of paper and something to write with to every volunteer.

● Ask them to draw an image that represents their discipleship journey

● Have them add to their drawing the individuals and groups that were important in their discipleship.

● Ask for volunteers to share their drawings.

Preparation for video content or lead your volunteers in reviewing the content (see handout)

Space for Connection:

  • Connection to God

  • Connection with leaders

  • Connection with other students

Space for Conversation (how to lead discussion)

  • Plan

  • Start the conversation

  • Guide the discussion

  • Create time for quiet

  • Listen well

  • Watch non-verbal cues

  • Allow for participation

  • Conclude the discussion well

Practice together:

● Choose a Bible story (example: Parable of the Good Samaritan)

● Divide into small groups. Ask each group to write 4-5 discussion questions/prompts that could guide a discussion of the story.

Discussion:

● List ways you can help kids connect to God in your small group time.

● How have you seen kids connect with others during small group? List ways to facilitate this.

● What struggles do you have in leading a conversation in your small group?

Concluding Activity:

● Review the list of ways to help kids connect to God and one another. Identify something you could try during your next small group.

● Identify one thing you can try to lead a discussion differently during your next small group.

● As a group, brainstorm ways leaders can appropriately connect to the kids in their small group.

Ask each leader to commit to one of these activities in the next month.

Session 4 Handout

Session 4: Discipleship in Children’s Ministry Small Groups

Introduction:

Space for Connection:

  1. Connection to God

  2. Connection with leaders

  3. Connection with other students

Space for Conversation:

  1. Plan

  2. Start the conversation

  3. Guide the discussion

  4. Create time for quiet

  5. Listen well

  6. Watch their non-verbal cues

  7. Allow for participation

  8. Conclude the discussion well