Small Group Activity Time begins the life application part of Konnect—it’s when kids get to start doing something with all the information they’ve been given. Find out how you can keep it focused, relevant, and fun!

Watch This:
This video will give you tips for leading well through the Small Group Activity.

Check Out These Tips:
A Note About Small Group Activity Time
The purpose of Small Group Activity Time is to help every kid in your group feel involved as you work together through a fun activity. When you manage the activity well, kids will connect to each other and process the information they’ve learned in an active way so they’re ready to talk about it later. Winning at Small Group Activity Time will help your Small Group Discussion time be more authentic and engaging later on.

Prepare

• Visit the leader page. Read over the directions on the Small Group Leader Guide ahead of time at www.leaders.life.church (Great job! You’re already here!) so you are ready to roll once Small Group Activity starts—instead of telling your small group to be quiet while you try to figure out the directions.
• Review the chart under “You’ll Need.” This chart on the Small Group Leader Guide tells you at a glance what materials you need to give to kids, what will be shared by the group, and what you need to keep, send home with kids, or throw away.
• What if I don’t understand the activity or think it won’t work? Bring your questions to your coach or staff so you can figure out how to do the activity as written. If you have less-than-stellar results, make sure and give that feedback to them so they can pass it on where it needs to go.

Keep It Fun

• Don’t rush. The point of the activity isn’t to finish—the point is to have fun together processing information in a different way. Get as far as you can in the time allotted.
• What if you can’t finish? Save it for later! Kids need something to keep them busy during check out, so let them continue on the small group activity when parents start showing up.

Clean It Up

• Start on cue. As soon as you hear the music start near the end of Small Group Activity Time, resist the urge to try to fit more in. Start cleaning up so your group doesn’t run behind and distract others.
• Put it all away. Put every single activity material back in your bin—even small toys and crafts your kids are supposed to take home. They can distract during worship and discussion time if you let kids keep them. Assure kids you’ll return the items when it’s time to go home.
• Emcees: When music starts to ramp up at the end of activity time, use your microphone to make an announcement to remind all small groups to start cleaning up.

Support Each Other

• Small Group Leaders: If you’re short on materials or you have a kid who is distracting the whole group despite your best efforts, reach out to the Emcee, Tech, or Coach for help.
• Emcees, Coaches, and Techs
  • Watch for any leaders who are struggling to lead or redirect a kid’s behavior. Step in to help.
  • Go around and make sure every small group has everything they need. If a bin comes up short on materials, get the small group leader what they need as soon as possible.
  • Watch for groups larger than 10 kids. That’s not an easily manageable group. Take half of the group for yourself or find another leader so the group can be split.

What if my group is too big or too small?

• If your group is too big (more than 7-10 kids), get help so your kids will get the attention they need, and so you’ll be able to manage the activity.
  • Let your coach know as soon as possible that you need more support to be successful.
  • If your group is consistently too large, reach out to a staff member to let them know your room needs more leaders, pray for God to send the right people, and talk to people you know who still need a place to serve.
• If your group is too small (2 kids or less), look at the activity to see if it will be more fun with a few more kids. Talk to your coach to see if you can merge with another small group.

Talk It Over:
Now that you’ve watched a video and read a few tips, help the info stick! Talk over these questions with your experience coach or a LifeKids staff member. Share what you’ve learned with other leaders in Konnect!

1. What challenges have you run into during Small Group Activity Time, or do you think you might run into? Talk to another experienced leader, a coach, or a staff member to brainstorm solutions.
2. What advice could you share with other leaders to help them lead well through Small Group Activity Time?
3. Talk about an activity that didn’t work well for your group.
4. Share one of your favorite activities you’ve led through.

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