advice for dividing small groups
doug fields
I'm always afraid to answer small
group questions with a "this
is how you do it" answer. Why? Because all small groups are unique and
I'm not convinced there is "a" way to do it--there are several ways.
Here are some of my thoughts:
1. Breaking students into small groups is never easy.
2. Breaking students into smaller groups when groups grow is never easy.
3. You can lessen the pain when you use the term "launch" instead
of "split" (i.e. "we'll be launching a new group out of this
group because great things are happening in here."). Launch can be positive.
Split can be negative.
4. Let small groups know from the beginning that "launching" new
groups is an exciting thing. Tell them it's a real possibility when the size
of the group reaches ___ number of students (___ = whatever you decide on).
5. There will be a natural decline in intimacy when students start a new group--that's
normal. But, if the groups just started 2 weeks ago, most likely your groups
haven't begun to scratch the surface of intimacy. The sooner the better is
the time to launch the new groups.
6. If your groups are "open groups" (meaning students can be added
as they arrive) you'll always face this "problem" (what a great problem
to have). As students in their small group grow spiritually, they will most
likely reach out to their [lost] friends and invite them to join a small group.
The only that I know to keep the numbers small and not disrupt the small groups
is to change your philosophy to a "closed group" (meaning that once
a group starts, it stays that number until the quarter/semester/school year
is over (whatever you decide on)...and when a new student come, the student
begins in a group that isn't "full". There are pros and cons to every
youth ministry strategy.
7. Don't really have anything else to write here for
#7...it's getting late (it's midnight) but it seemed like have 7 points would
be a cool thing. Not
sure if any of this is helpful...Oh, here's a thought; term your changes "experiments" and
be willing to allow them to fail (who cares if something goes wrong--if it
was an "experiment"). Learn from your experiments and begin to develop
principles for small groups that you're passionate about and/or ones that work
for your particular youth ministry setting.
http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/community-articles-smallgroups.html
