by ChaseSnyder | Sep 14, 2016 | Discipleship, Ministry
What would your answer be if I asked you what the win is for small groups? What are the essentials that must happen each week to ensure that people are growing closer to Jesus?
With my vantage point as a pastor I continually hear about what we “need” to do for kids and families.
One of the best ones in recent conversation was when I was told that I need to teach teenagers how to drive in the parking lots using the golf carts!
It is easy for us to lose focus on the main essentials in ministry, especially when we have been leading groups for a few years.
At the end of the day here are the three essentials for the small groups.
3 Small Group Essentials
1. Introduce them to Jesus.
Every disciple has a responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus with everyone they come in contact with. How often are we presenting the gospel in our Sunday school classes, small groups, and weekly worship services? This must be a foundational aspect of our weekly preparation and prayer.
2. Teach them how to use the Bible.
Notice I didn’t say “Teach them the Bible.” Teaching the Bible is a foundational part of a church’s makeup, but teaching people how to use the Bible on their own is of utmost importance. Every Christian needs to know how the Bible applies to their life, how to open the book, memorize Scriptures, and know the God who is moving in the biblical stories. If we fail at this, high schoolers and college students will walk away from the church.
3. Teach them how to pray.
Hebrews teaches us the “Priesthood of all Believers” which means that ALL Christians have the same access to God, through Jesus, as the rest of us do. Pastors are not priest. Our small groups must focus on teaching prayer. When life happens our small group leaders are not sitting in our living rooms 24/7 to comfort us, but Jesus is. It is our responsibility to encourage students and families to develop a personal practice of prayer.
Now What?
As you prepare for your lesson how can you make sure that you are connecting kids to Jesus, teaching them how to use the Bible and teaching them how to pray?
When every teacher and leader in our churches focus on these three areas our kids, students and families will grow deeper in Jesus!
by ChaseSnyder | Sep 6, 2016 | Discipleship, Ministry
Your lesson is prepared. The environment is inviting. Food has been set out.
Now, it’s time to get your students to talk during small group…
Building a culture of dialogue during small groups can be one of the most frustrating parts of leading a small group of teenagers.
It seems that the students you want to talk aren’t talking and the ones that need to stop talking continue to talk!
Every week, you must be intentional about asking quality questions that will engage YOUR students. Remember, Bible study curriculum has been written to engage teenagers in general — not your group specifically.
[[bctt tweet=”Every week you must be intentional about asking quality questions that will engage YOUR students.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
The most well-written Bible study can still feel stilted, impersonal, and distant if a small group leader doesn’t prepare for his or her specific group.
Here are a few questions that are specific enough to drive home a point but open enough to spark conversations.
4 Engaging Questions Small Group Leaders Must Ask Each Week
“What Is Happening In YOUR Life This Week?”
In my opinion, this is a better question than asking for prayer requests. When you ask for prayer requests, people give impersonal responses about everyone else’s problems. Students need a space to talk about the highs and lows of their week. If you ask students what is happening in their lives this week you will know how you can pray for and encourage your students … without the requests to pray for their granny’s pet cat. After they talk about what is happening, offer to pray for that situation, event, or opportunity.
[bctt tweet=”Students need a space to talk about the highs and lows of their week. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]
“What Questions Came Up As You Read The Bible Last Week?”
People struggle with spending time reading their Bibles, and asking about their devotional lives can come off as condescending. To most people, there is an extremely fine line between being concerned and condescending. Remember to be encouraging and full of grace as you disciple your students. Trust me, students feel like failures when they don’t read their Bibles. Encourage them to share what questions and frustrations they have as they approach God’s Word.
[bctt tweet=”Remember to be encouraging and full of grace as you disciple your students.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
“How Can We Help You Live Out The Truth Of This Passage This Week?”
Sunday Bible study should transform Monday morning conversations. As a small group leader, you must help students bridge the gap between merely listening to lessons on Sunday morning and doing what has been taught. (For more about creating a student ministry of doers, head here: Create A Student Ministry Of Doers.) Use the last few minutes of your time tossing around ideas to get students engaged in God’s mission. Some of the ideas presented will be ones you can help your students plan and organize, while other ideas will only need your affirmation that the students are gifted enough to accomplish them.
“Are You Ready To Start Following Jesus?”
Small groups and Sunday School both started because of an emphasis to share the Gospel of Jesus to those outside the church. You don’t have to be pushy in your invitation, but the question needs to be asked each week. All Scripture (and most curriculums) point to Jesus. Make sure that you are connecting students to Him. Don’t rely only on midweek worship services to extend an invitation to follow Jesus. Many students who attend small groups are unable to attend midweek services.
What Questions Do You Ask?
Some of you seasoned youth veterans have incredible questions you ask on a weekly basis. I would love to hear some of them!
What questions do you ask during Bible study groups?
by ChaseSnyder | Aug 22, 2016 | Leadership, Ministry
Before I came on staff to be the full-time family pastor at our church I served here as a bi-vocational youth pastor.
For several years I worked in 2 different ministries (a camp and a church) and my family has experienced first-hand the challenges of serving bi-vocationally. Working two jobs is difficult enough, but when one of those is a ministry it seems nearly impossible to lead your job, ministry, family, and community well.
Bi-vocational youth pastors, I am encouraged by your drive for ministry and students! Your meetings happen during the evenings when you should be home with your families, your weekends are covered with events, your vacation time is used for mission trips and camps, and you are not paid nearly enough to do what you do.
In our area of the city the majority of youth pastors are bi-vocational or simply volunteers. They are men and women who love students and have stepped up in their churches to make sure that students are growing up with a knowledge and relationship with Jesus.
I know the highs and lows you are experiencing in ministry. While I was serving in two ministries I had to remind myself that my current role was completely different from someone who was serving full-time as a student pastor. Your role may look different but part-time pastors can fully impact their communities.
[bctt tweet=”Part-time pastors can fully impact their communities. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]
It is out of my deep respect for you all I would love to voice a few encouragements that I had to be reminded of as I served bi-vocationally.
4 Encouragements For Bi-Vocational Youth Pastors
Student Ministry Is About Depth, Not Size
It is easy to get caught up in hoping for someone else’s ministry, budget, number of volunteers, facilities, and worship band. But we must remember (even for us full-time guys) that ministry is about depth, not drawing crowds. For our area the bi-vocational leaders excel at relational ministry. They have been in the community for years and they are not leaving! Keep serving Jesus faithfully and developing disciples who are growing deep spiritual roots!
[bctt tweet=”Student Ministry Is About Depth, Not Size” username=”chasesnyder12″]
Part-Time Pastors Are Real Pastors
The students don’t notice that you are part-time. You know how I know? Because they never preface talking about you by saying “Hey, there is my ‘part-time’ youth pastor.” They see you as their pastor, because that is exactly what you are. Whether part or full-time, we are equipping and encouraging students for the glory of Jesus. You are just as much a pastor as the guy across the street with the full-time student ministry.
[bctt tweet=”Part-Time Pastors Are Real Pastors” username=”chasesnyder12″]
Being Full-Time Will Not Make Your More Qualified
Remember, God calls you into ministry. If your sense of qualification and success rests on your job status then your ministry will be shaky at best. Our joy, calling, power, and direction all come from Jesus. If you are dealing with those insecurities now, they won’t disappear if you become a full-time student pastor.
[bctt tweet=”Being Full-Time Will Not Make Your More Qualified” username=”chasesnyder12″]
You Need To Set Boundaries
Don’t be afraid to set boundaries that protect your time, family, and other place of employment. If the church wants you go serve 40 hours a week then they need to make you full-time. Until that happens, do what needs to be done, serve how you know you should serve, and keep an open line of communication between you and your elders.
Now What?
Bi-vocational ministry is tough but God is doing incredible work in your churches because you are being faithful and obedient to Jesus.
Keep serving him faithful!
by ChaseSnyder | Jun 20, 2016 | Ministry
How are you trying to increase camp attendance this summer?
While we spend hundreds of hours planning for our camps it is easy to overlook the most import step – inviting students to attend. You may argue with me, but in the rush to schedule activities, coordinate with guest speakers, and finalize bus schedules, our invitation process is often limited to handing out flyers, sending one parent email, and talking about it a few times after student worship.
If you want to increase your camp attendance you must communicate more than the camp dates.
[bctt tweet=”If you want to increase your camp attendance you must communicate more than the camp dates.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
As you finalize your camp details, here are a few tips that can help you increase your camp attendance this summer.
5 Tips To Increase Camp Attendance
Communicate Life Change
The draw of a beach camp, zip line, or lake adventure doesn’t resonate with students anymore. With the vast amount of options they have to choose from this summer, your camp may be lost in the clutter of other events. The one thing that shines more brightly than any new camp game is the life change Jesus brings. How can you communicate that camp can impact more than their tan line or Snapchat following?
Communicate Financial Assistance
There will be families who need financial assistance to make camp work for their kids. While I do not promote that financial assistance is available (after all, I don’t have a budget line dedicated to send kids to camp) I do talk with parents who inquire about financial assistance to see how we can assist their family. From there, I communicate needs with our church leadership and key members in our congregation.
Communicate Ownership
Your two best camp recruiters are your small group leaders (those attending camp with you) and students. Think about how many times students have asked you, “Who else is going to be at camp?” Students are the best recruiters for camp. Make sure that you communicate the importance of bringing other students to camp.
Communicate Early
The further out you can communicate the dates and cost of camp, the better off you will be. Parents and adult leaders need to know these specifics nine to 12 months out so they can clear their calendars, ask off of work, and save up money. If a parent finds out about a beach camp two weeks before it starts, chances are that student will not be attending.
Communicate Directly With Parents
Have you ever picked up event flyers in the church parking lot 10 minute after handing them to students? I have felt that frustration as well! If you want your students to attend camp you need to make sure parents know the specifics of camp. Emailing is an easy way to transfer the information but phone calls are the best way to bring clarity to the event. Small group leaders are an incredible resource to leverage when planning a phone call blast to your students’ parents.
Now What?
What are your strengths in getting kids to camp, and what are your weaknesses?
by ChaseSnyder | Mar 28, 2016 | Ministry
A few weeks ago a student pastor asked me why it is important to bring in guest speakers for his students to hear.
It is a valid question.
Yes, guest speakers can be expensive.
Yes, you have been paid to lead midweek and/or weekend services.
But bringing in a guest speaker can serve as a catalyst for your group’s growth and spiritual depth.
Below are a few reasons I think every student ministry should bring in guest speakers.
Your team will have to decide how often you can utilize an outside source and what budgeted money you will be working with. I try to have a guest speaker at our retreats/camps and at least one during each big student ministry season: spring, summer, fall.
I utilize a guest speaker when I am out of town or on vacation, but I also schedule a few people to come in while I’m at service (especially when I ask a student to teach).
While I give you some of my thoughts, you can take these ideas and see how they fit for your ministry.
5 Reasons You Should Use Guest Speakers In Youth Ministry
New Voice
Does it drive you a little crazy when your students and leaders suddenly connect with the main point a guest speaker covers after you have been hitting on the same point for months? For most of us, we listen better when there is a new voice speaking. We can take advantage of this and strategically bring speakers in to help drive home truths, ideas, or concepts we have been covering. When your students see that you are not the only one who is teaching those concepts, they are more willing to grasp the vision.
New Perspective
Any guest speaker you invite in should have an unwavering commitment to Jesus and teach in accordance with your church’s statement of faith. They should also share their unique perspective based on their experiences and relationship with God. Some emphasize missions. Others have a heartbeat for discipleship groups. A new perspective awakens the passions already in people’s hearts.
New Style
It would be arrogant to think that you have the perfect preaching/teaching style to reach every student in your group. People have a variety of learning styles, so they naturally respond to a variety of styles and deliveries. You should be open to introducing new speakers and styles into your group so that you can reach those you may not yet have connected with on a personal level.
New Story
Some guests have a unique story to share about the redemptive power of Jesus. Aspects of their story may resonate with a student in your group. Inviting them to share their story with your people may connect on a deeper level with one of your students than you have been able to in the past.
New Opportunity
Do you have students who are interested in heading to a bible college or seminary? You should get them to teach! Your student may not be a “guest” in the traditional sense, but the main way you can develop leaders is to encourage them to explore how God has gifted them. This helps confirm a calling God may be placing on his/her life. Coach them before they teach and encourage them afterward.
Now What?
I would love to know how your student ministry incorporates guest speakers into the normal rotation and events. Comment below and let me know! How often do you bring in outside voices?
by ChaseSnyder | Mar 21, 2016 | Ministry
I know…
If there was one thing you could do more each week it would be spend time with students. I’m not just talking to student pastors, but small group leaders and volunteers.
You serve in ministry because you want to impact lives.
But every week you end up feeling as if you have not spent enough time with students.
Things come up. Schedules are full. Goals of connecting with students turn into a distant hope.
The biggest challenge is to simply do something!
Students aren’t waiting on a grand gesture. They want continuous connection and communication.
Here are 7 ways you can connect with students this week:
- Brag on Them to Their Parents
Every student wants to know that he is on the right track. The next time you see his parent at a worship service or to pick the student up from bible study, spend a minute bragging on his behavior, leadership, or the way they are engaged during worship.
- Text Them
Students text constantly throughout the day. A simple text communicates that you are thinking and praying for them. Creating texting groups with the small group leader and students is a great way to start conversations without the awkwardness of texting a student one-on-one.
- Post a “Happy Birthday” Video or Picture On Social Media
Birthdays are essentially a personal national holiday for students! Show them that you are invested by posting a funny 15 second video or picture on their account.
- Prayer Before Service – Hangout after Service
Most students are dropped off early for midweek worship services. You can use that time to gather them for prayer before the service. Another key area is specifying a local restaurant of hangout that everyone is invited to after the service. I will say we are hanging out for 15-30 minutes and that parents are welcome to attend. This is low cost to the student ministry because kids pay for their own treat or just goof off with the rest of the group.
- Send a Prayer Card
Some small group leaders send cards to first time guests or when a student misses a bible study. Something that is just as effective is spending a few minutes praying for a specific student then sending him/her a card to let them know he/she has been prayed for.
[bctt tweet=”The most encouraging thing you can do is to let students know that you are praying for them” username=”chasesnyder12″]
- Maximize Your Time at Midweek
It is tempting to catch up with other adult leaders when you arrive for student worship services, but you must resist this temptation. How can you maximize your time and connect with students this week at your midweek service? Saying “Hey!” to every student is a great start, but think of some ways you can deeply connect with a few students.
[bctt tweet=”The purpose of serving in student worship to invest in students, not catch up with other adults.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
- Personally Invite Them to the Next Student Event
Announcements do not work as well as personal invitations. Nothing communicates “We want you in our group” quite like personally inviting students to be involved in the group. This is not the sole responsibility of the student pastor – all leaders must spend time inviting students and informing parents when an event is coming up.
[bctt tweet=”Personal Invitations > Generic Announcements” username=”chasesnyder12″]
This list should give you some ideas to connect with your students this week.
How else are you connecting with students throughout the week?
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