Youth Ministry Basics: Small Groups

So maybe they aren’t basics, but there are certain aspect of youth ministry that need to be addressed from the beginning and in that sense, they are the basics. The way that you execute the basics can be very different and very much so diverse. However we all need to focus on certain aspect of youth ministry that should be in every ministry.

Small Groups are one of those things!

I am an avid believer that small groups is where life transformation really happens. It is where students/people will open up and will allow God to really speak into their lives. However small groups are a tricky thing, especially in youth ministry. In adult groups, you can categorize and place and normally will do pretty good at getting the right style of people together. In youth small groups, you have age, gender, grade, school and likes. Those all somewhat come into play when you are deciding how to do small groups.

In Student Life, we have fallen into a rhythm of gender and grade specific groups. Now they work well, but the problem with them, is that the students will get a new adult leader and possibly inherit new students as they get a little older. Although this doesnt always present a problem, there are times when students dont fit in or dont work in certain groups. That is wherein lies the problem. It is a constant stream of “I dont like my group” or “I would like to be with this person.” It is something that I have grown used to hearing, however is the best thing to do is give the student what they want? Or is it to find a way to teach them to learn how to adapt to new people?

Here is my other thought, is it better to start groups from an early age and keep groups all the way through the years they are in the ministry? Is it better to say, ok you are going to take these 6 to 8 7th graders and walk with them until they graduate?

I am not sure what the best approach would be, but I am all ears when it comes to what you all do?

So what would you say works better? What works well for you?