5 Things Parents Need to Know from Your Small Group Leader

on September 9th, 2009

Dennis over on Volunteer Youth Ministry just posted some great small group training on his approach to working with parents of his small group. I think I’m going to ask him to present some of it at our upcoming training nights. Good stuff, here’s a clip:

3. I’m not a knucklehead. I show I’m not a knucklehead by:

  • Not giving authoritative parental advice on subjects I’m not equipped or experienced to address – I can say I don’t know, but here’s some ideas instead of “Here’s what to do”
  • Talking to them in a way that makes them feel welcome
  • Interacting with them on their level – not same level I interact with their students
  • Finding answers to their questions instead of just sending them to a website or giving them the office phone number

4. Small group is not a waste of their child’s time. I communicate to parents the high value of their child’s time with me by sending them home with new perspectives on Christian living and action steps to match.

I don’t care if parents ever hear these words from their child, “Small group was so fun. Our leader is incredibly funny.” If this is all their parents hear, then small group time will be seen as just another way for their kids to postpone homework. While we do have loads of fun and I am the funniest person you could ever meet (have I mentioned I’m known for exaggeration?), I want students taking something deeper from our time together than how fun it was. I want them to communicate through their actions and discussions outside of small group that their hearts and minds are maturing spiritually.

5. I’m teaching them relational skills for home life. When I teach, I am very family-friendly. I include a healthy dose of tips for respecting parents and dealing with family struggles throughout the year. In this way, I partner with parents.

JG


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