How can I really be present for my small group? - Life.Church Leaders

How can I really be present for my small group?

by Leaders.Life Team

When a kid walks into an experience, they need to have interactions that help them feel needed and known. We, as leaders, are the ones who can build trust with them and represent the love of Jesus to each kid. But how do we do that well?

Being present is key. Watch this video and read below to see different ways you can do that!

Show up consistently.
When we are consistent for kids, we show them they matter to us, and that they matter to God. We also get to show them Jesus is same yesterday, today, and forever. He can be trusted and counted on when everything else in a kid’s life is changing. Here are some great ways to show up consistently:

Show up mentally.
Kids, like the rest of us, need a listening ear, and they need focused attention. When you drop everything and show up ready to focus on the kids in your small group, you show they have great value to you. Here are some ways you can communicate to the kids in your small group that you are 100% mentally in the moment with them:

Show up randomly.
You show kids they matter when you show up during key points in their life. Here are some ways you can do that!

Talk through these discussion questions with your fellow leaders and LifeKids team.

  1. What do you think you can do before you serve each week to help you show up mentally?
  2. What do you think is really important about showing up consistently?
  3. Who can you think of in your life that always shows up consistently, mentally, and randomly?
  4. What things does that person do to show you really matter to them?
  5. What outcome do you hope you’ll see in your small group by being totally present for the kids?

A special thank you to Orange and the reThink Group for their ideas and research on their “lead small” philosophy referenced in this guide.