If you’ve talked to Mackay or I about what’s going on in our student ministries program, you may have heard us mention our new vision for our small group ministry. Small groups will be starting up this month and will be available to any student, grades 8th - 12th. They will be divided by gender and have around 8-10 students and two adult leaders. The groups will meet every other week on a day decided by the leaders, at a location of their choice. The location will also be decided by the group; some may meet in homes, at coffee shops, or at the Greenhouse. While small groups have always existed within our church, we are putting a strong focus on it for our students. James 5:16 says; “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Scripture calls us to come together and help one another grow. We feel that it’s so important to emphasis discipleship at this age and establish accountability.
Students that take part in these groups will develop lasting relationships that are centered around Jesus. The groups will be meeting together and talking about their week, sharing the things they are going through, studying a book or certain scriptures, and praying together. Our hope is that small groups will last throughout their four years of high school, and even continue on after. A group may be involved in the process of praying about which college to attend, as well as finding a church or ministry to be apart of once they head off to that same college. It’s so important to have that accountability, and there’s no better place to find it then amongst your friends at church.
While all aspects of student ministry are important, small groups are extremely meaningful to me personally. My small group has helped me in so many ways, by praying through many major decisions, as well as really helping me to grow in my personal walk with God. There are around about six girls in my small group and I have seen an amazing amount of growth come from it. One of the girls that is a part of my group was diagnosed two years ago with a brain tumor. She had experienced health issues since we were younger, and so I encouraged her to come meet with us on Friday mornings. We have laid hands and prayed over her as she has prepared to go to important doctors appointments, as well as created a community to take care of her on days where she felt to sick to do it on her own. While her physical health goes through ups and downs, her spiritual health remains strong. I am proud to say that our small group will be assisting her in planning her wedding, and we will all be their to support her in prayer throughout her marriage.
We also have a small group of high school guys that have been meeting over the past few months. The group organically formed and went from a few guys just getting together to talk, to gaining a strong desire to grow spiritually. These relationships are continuing to build and are forming the way these guys live their lives. When it comes to our faith, we were not meant to do this on our own, and small group ministry really caters to that idea.
I’ve learned that in order to pour into others, it’s so important to be filled as well, and that’s what we want these small groups to be: a way to be filled. If you have a student that you want to be involved in our small group ministry, please give Mackay or myself a call or send us an email. And while we want everyone to have a chance to benefit from this ministry, we will need to keep recruiting small group leaders in order to grow. If this is something God has put on your heart and you have prayed about it, we would love to talk more with you. There are also small groups that meet for adults within the church. Our hope is that you will be inspired to find a group to be a part of.
