SO MUCH MORE

First, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for agreeing to lead a Small Group!

Perhaps you were a part of a Disciple Now when you were in middle or high school; if you were, you know that small group leaders are the most important part of the weekend!  We are confident that the Lord will use you this weekend to be the vessels of God’s grace and love for the teenagers whom you are leading. Remember, your students will look to you as the coolest of cool, and in their adoration, you will have the opportunity to show them Jesus.  So, thank you for your time and your willingness to be with us this weekend!

We want to take a few minutes to go over a few things and to answer any of your questions, because we want you to be comfortable and confident in your role as a leader. So here goes...

• Leaders are primarily responsible for building relationships with the students, leading small group discussions, and showing them Jesus (as well as helping to make sure the students don't burn down the host home or do anything else super boneheaded).

• The Host Home leaders and other adults will coordinate transportation, but there may be some times you may need to help transport students back and forth. We’ll give you a heads up on that and make sure you are ok with it.

• Your Host Home adults will take care of hosting duties, so you won’t be burdened with that, but you are the Small Group Leader. We’ve told the Host Home adults that they can be a part of whatever they would like over the weekend, but we’ve also made sure they know to give you the space to lead.

• You and your students will reference the interactive student books throughout the weekend. Help us to make sure students keep up with them during the small and large group sessions for notetaking, and also to make sure students bring their Bibles and something to write with during the sessions.

• We want you to come to the DNOW having already planned your small group sessions. This year, we are using a YM-360 Small Group Material, but our speaker is developing his large group sermons from Ephesians. Things should still tie in well, and the small group material will allow you to lead with confidence. Our theme this year is SO MUCH MORE. You can read more about the theme on our about page, found here!

We wholeheartedly believe that the more you prepare the more effective you will be!

 HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR HELPING YOU PREPARE:

• THE BEST WAY for you to prepare to teach this material is to read the Scripture and material and to pray through it.  You will be getting the same copy of the studies that the students have.  Please read through it ahead of time and answer/fill in all of the questions on your own. That way, you’ll have an idea of how the students will answer them as well.

• Make it your own! While we want to convey the main points, you have a great deal of flexibility with the sessions! Feel free to use your own creative ingenuity to map out your small group sessions, and, most importantly, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as you engage your group. Use the questions to guide your discussion, but don’t feel as if you have to stick to them so closely that you don’t leave room for the Spirit’s prompting. 

• A teaching tip – when you ask a question that you want students to respond to, allow silence afterward. Let it ruminate. Wait until it becomes uncomfortable. And then wait some more… 

• If after referring to the lesson and teacher resources you have any questions or need clarification on a point or topic as you prepare, contact one of the student ministry leaders.

Just one more time… remember that your simple presence and willingness to talk to the students about your own relationship with the Lord will be the most powerful influence over the students this weekend.  Enjoy your time with them.  Enjoy helping them grow closer to the Lord.  Enjoy leading them down a path that will deepen their understanding of Scripture and how it illuminates the world for us.  Even enjoy getting to put the smack down your students at well placed intervals during the weekend.

Thank you for helping to make this weekend amazing and impactful for our students! Please know that we are praying for you and are here to help in any way that we can!

In Christ,

   The Disciple Now Leadership Team