“Just me and 10 4th graders in a group? No “real” adults/teachers? Who signed me up for this? Oh yeah, it was me when I realized how impactful small groups can be for our kids. They develop relationships with teachers, coaches, and other adults, why aren’t we using that same amazing dynamic for helping them develop their relationship with Christ? Well, we are!
Even after just a few weeks, our group (and it is ours, not mine or theirs) has started to gel and listen to each other as we share things from our week. Last Sunday, we made paper airplanes (I was all over that!) and sailed them across our group. When another person’s plane came to you, you wrote something encouraging to that person and sailed it on. If your child wants to share this with you, I suggest all parents take a look at their airplane. It was amazing to see how much this one exercise impacted some of the kids – just knowing those in our group loved them was huge (we all wanted to keep our planes at the end of the hour – me too!). Then tie that to the fact that the God of the Universe loves them personally more than we can even imagine – I saw some stunned faces.
I want to thank all of you for entrusting your children to this ministry (and, some of you, to me). We want to work hand-in-hand with you parents to help our kids grow in Christ. I have to admit that I have personally gained more from our group than I had expected and I want to encourage other adults to look at this amazing opportunity to have an impact on our kids and God’s kingdom.”
“What a blessing the small groups have been to me personally! They are actually teaching ME so much! My group of 6th grade girls are so beautifully and wonderfully created; though they are all so different they are able to come together to share and grow as one body because it is a very loving, safe environment that we are providing them on Sun. mornings. Where else, but with other Christian girls, can you share about the yucky things that are going in the schools and learn strategies to deal with them? Where else can you actually PRACTICE solving a conflict with biblical strategies? Where else can you sing and dance for joy without feeling self-conscious? I am blessed to be a small group leader! Thanks for the opportunities to connect with these precious girls!”
As a parent, I feel blessed that on Sunday my kids experience high-energy worship and praise; contemplative moments of prayer and communion; fun, engaging lessons on Biblical principles; and connection with a small group of peers on everything from an amusing level to an intimate level. As a teacher, I am blessed to come and witness the kingdom works going on. While clearly, extensive thought, prayer, and planning have been devoted to each week of Sunday School, my role as a teacher is not complex. I come on Sunday with a heart for God and a heart for these kids and ready to serve Him through these kids. Inevitably I see or hear something that shows me that I am receiving more than I am giving.
My Thoughts About Small Groups
By Teryn Post, gr. 5
I think the small groups are a great idea, and I think they should continue. My favorite part about small groups is we can talk to each other in times of trouble when we feel like we can’t talk to anybody else. Everyone encounters his/her own problems, but together we can overcome anything with God’s help. Continuing this every Sunday would have benefits such as different problems + different times + the willingness to share and listen = giving each other our input and helping them through this (these) tough time(s). Our leaders have always been open to hearing our words, our thoughts about issues we may have, or our troubles and have always responded with a kind heart and do it because they feel lead to. I want to extend an extra THANKS to Mrs. Tammy Phillips and Mrs. Mandy Kylander for making this possible. Thanks for all you do, everyone! Thank you for reading my letter.
Sincerely, Teryn Post
I like small groups because instead of just listening to the lesson, I get to interact (yes he actually used this word) and have fun. Small groups can help make friends too. They mix the groups up so you get to meet other people and make new friendships. Small groups are awesome!
- Evan Reed