We’re so excited you’ve decided to start a LifeGroup for parents and kids! By including children in your LifeGroup, you have the opportunity to model what it looks like to learn more about Jesus and follow Him with friends. Below, you’ll find best practices and links to resources created just for you, to help your LifeGroup start strong.

Creating Safe Places

As you prepare to host parents and children, keep these three areas of safety in mind:

• • Meeting Space: No matter where your LifeGroup meets, it will be important for you to assess the space and consider how you can make it safe for children. Look for defects and dangers parents should be made aware of, like frayed carpets in the living room or trampolines in the backyard. Take appropriate safety measures in the spaces where children will play.
  • Childcare: Childcare looks a little different in every LifeGroup, so choose the setup that will work best for your specific group. Will children stay with their parents, or will there be a designated space for kids to play? If there’s a designated space, who will supervise them? How will you screen potential babysitters?
  • Food: If food is served or brought to your LifeGroup, make sure you’re aware of any food allergies among your group members—adults and children included. Also, know what measures need to be taken in the event of an allergic reaction.

Ideas and Resources

Check out this list of resources to find podcast episodes, parenting messages, Bible studies, and more that you can use in your LifeGroup:

• • How to LifeGroup With a Million Kids: How can you grow closer to God and closer to your LifeGroup when there are a million kids running around? Find out by reading this article: leaders.life.church/lifegroup-million-kids 
  • The Connected Family: Learn how to navigate technology with your family in this special video series created specifically for parents: leaders.life.church/the-connected-family-for-your-lifegroup/ 
  • LC Parents Podcast: This podcast is full of parenting advice, and the best part is, each episode comes with a conversation guide you can use to discuss what you hear with your LifeGroup. Find out more about the podcast by visiting: go2.lc/parentingresources 
  • Parenting Messages: Watch these messages with your LifeGroup and use the Talk It Over to lead your discussion.
    • Parenting on Purpose: life.church/media/parenting-on-purpose
    • Empowering the Next Generation: life.church/media/empowering-the-next- generation 
  • Parenting Bible Studies: Find Bible Plans on parenting and much, much more on the Bible App. Use “Plans With Friends” to go through a Bible Plan with your LifeGroup. Search for Bible Plans here: bible.com/reading-plans
  • Resources for Children: Life.Church has created hundreds of episodes of free content for kids of all ages that you can play for the children in your LifeGroup. See what’s available by exploring this page: life.church/media