Overview
Looking for resources for growing discipleship in your youth groups? The small-group framework has been developed to help churches with structuring group discussions and support the faith journey of 11-18 year olds. Our hope is that this guide will inform the practice of those serving in youth ministry and help help youth leaders, whether serving in paid roles or as volunteers, create effective small group structures, based on tried and tested methods that are also rooted in theory and theology.
If you have a only few young people and are unsure how to develop their faith, then we suggest initially starting a youth ministry by building an intentional small group culture, before adding any other activity. Once you have an effective small group ministry we then suggest creating a discipleship pathway that feeds in and flows out of these groups.
What makes a small group?
Small groups consist of around 5-7 people who meet face-to-face consistently and intentionally to study the Bible together. The reason for restricting the size of the group is that research has shown this is the ideal number for allowing fluid, intimate conversation where each member can feel confident to speak and suggest ideas. The group meets with a shared goal in mind of growing spiritually together and journeying as disciples.
As such, these intentional small groups can provide:
- A sense of deep community for their members
- A place that creates a focus on Jesus
- An environment where people can bring their lives to scripture
- An atmosphere where people learn to pray deeply and use their gifts
- A culture of hunger and accountability
- A climate for actively developing new leaders
- A community that seeks God’s heart for the world and those that don’t know Jesus.
Small Group Co-ordinators Guide
The Youth Catalyst Project has developed a small group framework guide as a resource for youth leaders to use in their ministry. This extensive guide provides an introductory section on theory and research around small groups and places it within a theological context. It then walks you through how to set up, organise, and structure your small groups so that you can implement them in your own context.
You can access our guide here as a PDF.
While the small group framework guide we have created has a focus on strengthening young peoples' discipleship, it can also be adapted to suit any church context.
We are currently in the process of creating a shorter guide aimed at individual leaders of each small group and how to run them. Keep an eye out on this page or contact sophie.blake@cofeguildford.org.uk for more information.