As I hung up the phone from a conversation with the mother of an active student in our ministry, my heart was full. In youth ministry, there aren’t many times when that happens after a parent phone call; so I relished in this moment.
This particular student had been invited to our program by a friend, then got involved in the ministry consistently, then invited her parents to church, and now attends one of our high school girls small groups regularly. She is invested in living her life to the fullest with Jesus. As a result, so is her family. The one statement her mother made that shot beams of joy straight into my heart was this: “She is so happy every week going to small group. That is the one thing she looks forward to. She gets everything done after school so she can go. It’s so important, Megan. That’s where she grows.”
That’s Where She Grows
If we as leaders are not invested and interested in our students growing as believers–if our intent is not to cultivate disciples–then what are we doing? Because I am still growing in ministry, I’m learning the importance of this myself. A specific and very tangible way to teach discipleship is to invest in the lives of students by implementing small groups into your ministry programming. Small groups go beyond the usual, beyond the normal dodgeball and messy games and ski trips. I believe intentional relationships are key to sustained spiritual growth. That’s why small groups are such an important part of any discipleship strategy.
A religious expert wanting to cut through the confusion of 613 Old Testament statutes came to Jesus and asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus gave His famous reply, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'” (
Small groups increase vulnerability: What can’t be shared at a big teaching night or youth group can and will be shared in a small group. Students are willing to be more vulnerable and teachable in these situations.
Small groups allow students to grow deeper in discipleship: As youth workers, we can get only so much teaching done when everyone is together. Small groups allow for students to ask the hard questions and get into the nitty-gritty details of a big passage.
Small groups create community: Instantly in our high school girls small group there was a sense of community. The girls who went to school together were able to hold each other accountable in the hallways; the girls who danced at the same dance academy were able to share their faith with their friends and alongside someone who spoke their language. These girls looked out for each other, cried together, laughed together and supported each other continually.
Small groups have changed youth ministry. Implementing them was one of the best ideas God has had for us. Students are growing closer to the Lord and closer together.
If you don’t already have a ministry that incorporates small groups, why not? Where can you be taking students deeper into discipleship? Try it — the results are rewarding. I promise.
