The Small Group Leader’s Guide (PDF) is one of the best free resources for small groups. Of course I had a part in putting it together so I may be slightly biased but... onward anyway!
Almost every youth ministry I’ve ever seen (all the effective ones for sure) has used some form of small groups somewhere in their ministry plan. The goals for the small group time vary (sometimes it’s for accountability, sometimes it’s to apply a lesson’s truth more specifically, other times there is an in-depth Bible study going on), but there are a few keys that hold true for almost every type of small group.
This compilation of articles do a great job covering the deeper questions of small groups (“What does it mean to disciple someone?”) as well as some of the in-your-face practical issues (“What do I do with the kid who always wants to answer and never stops talking in my group?”).
It is incredibly applicable with articles (16 total) covering topics like:
- The essential ingredients of discipleship
- What to do in a small group meeting
- Connecting with your small group outside of the normal meeting time
- How to have meaningful devotions (and how to teach your students to have meaningful devotions)
- How to maintain order in your group
- Asking questions that start discussions
Check out the downloadable PDF for all 16 of the articles or simply read through them individually online here. [via johncollins.wol.org]
