Subscribe to the Network6 Ways to Encourage Small Group Students to Take a Next Step
This week in small group leader training I covered a few ways to help students take a next step in their spiritual growth. Here are 6 ways small group 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 small group setting is totally subjective, allowing students to be challenged individually because they are known and cared for. A small group 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 you 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
Last week, we learned to celebrate any step forward in building a relational ministry. 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. Who knows, it might beOffer 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
Fire and forget is still good leadership – 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?
JG
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