Small Groups

When Only One Student Shows Up to Small Group 

We have all been there. We show up to small group, and we're the only person who showed up to small group. Confession: I have led middle school small groups… Read More

How Small Group Leaders Can Help Students After They Encounter Injustice

The follow-up in a student’s life is an essential action we can take when we find out a student has become victimized by or made aware of an act of… Read More

Sit, Don’t Fix, When Responding to Student Anxiety

I don’t know about you, but I think most of us were hoping when the calendar turned to 2021, all of our problems would magically go away—including, you know, that pesky global pandemic. Months into the new year though, many of us… Read More

Mobilizing Your Middle School Small Groups to Serve

As a first-year teacher, one of the best things I said yes to was leading an extra-curricular group called “SHOUT.” This group consisted of student leaders who wanted to help others and better themselves in the process. Literally, that’s what SHOUT meant:… Read More

5 Ways to Help Small Group Leaders Have Better Conversations About Racial Injustice

2020. Worldwide pandemic.  Stay-at-home orders.  School online.  Zoom fatigue.  Sports canceled.  Events canceled.  Movies postponed. Cabin fever.  More black men and women shot.  Social media explosion.  Black Lives Matter marches.  Riots.  Presidential election. That list is not exhaustive, and you probably have… Read More

2 Questions Every Small Group Leader Should Ask 6th Graders this Fall

It’s August, which means Back to School season is upon us! Although going “back to school” does look different this year for some, that doesn’t change the fact that school is starting and a brand-new grade, a brand-new school, and a brand-new… Read More

4 Things That Are Better About Digital Ministry

Last week, like so many small group leaders and ministry leaders around the country, I found myself pivoting toward a new reality hard and fast. After four years of leading my small group of high school girls, I never dreamed our last… Read More