LifeGroups are the heartbeat of our church. Community is where we experience relationships that push us deeper in our faith while also holding us accountable to what we believe.
This is all well and good, but how do we have a LifeGroup with a horde of children running around? How do we have deep, formative conversations between helping our children navigate conflict, asking for their 35th snack, and discussion pausing while every parent tries to figure out if that cry belongs to their kid?
It’s possible to have LifeGroup with a million kids, but it might not look exactly how we imagine. So let’s take a moment to reset our expectations and look at what, when it comes down to it, really matters in LifeGroups:
Give yourself grace. If you expect to have a two-hour, deep, extensive biblical discussion while your kids calmly play in another room, you are setting yourself up for failure. Nobody’s kids are that perfect, and to be honest, we aren’t trying to raise perfect kids. We are raising our kids to know Jesus. What we model for our kids is often more impactful than what we say to them. When our kids run in and interrupt discussion, they are also seeing us demonstrate what community looks like. So, embrace the interruptions. See them for what they can be—discipleship.
Prioritize what’s important. LifeGroup doesn’t have to be perfect. Now repeat that to yourself a few more times. Not only does it not have to be perfect, but it also doesn’t have to look the same every week. Be flexible. A rigid schedule for your group is just begging for frustration. Make sure to prioritize the important things—real conversation, encouragement, and prayer—but embrace an organic, more natural flow for each gathering. LifeGroup doesn’t need to be a formal event. It should feel like hanging out with good friends.
Be consistent. Life happens. Sometimes things pop up that we can’t avoid. But if we aren’t intentional, life will keep happening—week after week. To experience the real power of community, we have to prioritize it. Remember, it’s not just us parents building community; our kids are building community as well. If we are consistent, it can be the type of community that grows into lifelong, life-changing relationships for the entire family. So, if you miss one week, don’t miss two.
If you want some resources to help your kids have fun and learn about Jesus while building community, take a look at the resources below.
Resources for your kids:
