Small groups

August 26, 2019

4 Things Summer Taught Me About Classroom Management

Summer programming at your church may look totally different from your traditional Bible study or kids church setting. Typical VBS programs and other summer events are quick and come with their own unique challenges. This summer was one of my busiest. Having just joined a new church I got to volunteer in VBS and get introduced to many of the kids in the kids ministry but also many whom I did not know. This opportunity gave me an excellent way to practice my classroom management skills and see if they were truly valid. Ongoing Bible study classes had not been a problem, but what about a one week small group?

Here are a few techniques that worked for me that week and may work for you too.

Be prepared. One of the first things you need to do in any teaching environment is to be prepared. Classroom management starts before you ever meet together. Take time on the front end to make sure the classroom is set up for optimal learning and decide on the structure of your class time together. Providing structure with clear expectations will go a long way to creating an environment where managing your classroom will be much smoother.
Be consistent. The quickest way to lose control of any classroom situation is to be too flexible when it comes to the rules of the classroom. To maintain order, be consistent in enforcing the rules no matter what. If a child who usually is a great rule follower crosses the line and breaks the rules, being consistent with consequences shows everyone that the rules truly do apply to everyone.
Use non-verbal cues. When a child is being disruptive, using non-verbal communication like eye contact or a gentle touch on the shoulder to redirect attention will go a long way. If you have a group of kids sitting in the corner engaging in their own dialogue, simply walking in their direction and making eye contact will likely stop that undesirable behavior. Once you have their attention, engage them by using a name in conversation.
Praise positive behavior. Instead of focusing attention on the negative behavior, draw attention to the positive that is happening. I admit, I’ve never been good at doing this, but I made a conscious effort to focus on positives and it really did make a difference in the behaviors of the kids in my group. Most kids are looking for praise and when kids were not being rewarded by being mentioned for their negative behaviors, most of it stopped.

These are just a few techniques you can try. Many other management techniques exist but these are four that worked great for me and I hope they will work great for you too.

Tim Pollard is passionate about helping kids dig deep into Scripture, which he pursues through his daily work as leader of the Explore the Bible: Kids team. Tim lives with his wife and daughters in Mount Juliet, TN.

Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Ministry, Podcasts, Small Groups

May 16, 2019

“Grouping” Your Kids Ministry

By Kids Ministry 101

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Tim Pollard and Bill Emeott discuss how to group kids in both a small group and events environment for your kids ministry.

Tim Pollard teaches 3rd-6th graders Explore the Bible: Kids Worship on Sunday nights at Tulip Grove Baptist Church. He’s passionate about helping kids dig deep into Scripture, which he pursues through his daily work as leader of the Explore the Bible: Kids team. Tim lives with his wife and daughters in Mount Juliet, TN.

This episode is hosted by Bill Emeott, produced by Micheal Walley, and sponsored by the ETCH Family Ministry Conference.

Bible Study, Devotional, Leadership, Small Groups, Sunday School

January 8, 2016

Ways to Incorporate Scripture in Bible Study

By Kids Ministry 101

by Tim Pollard

Bible stories are super cool. God gave us His Word to help us know Him better, and we can do that through Bible study. However, what do we do in our Bible study when we tell kids a Bible story with our Bibles open, but then never refer to it again? Are we showing how important God’s Word is to us? Or to them? Probably not.

Here are some ways to keep kids in the Bible while in the classroom and help kids appreciate the truths of God’s Word to take it outside the classroom.

Bible Skills. This seems obvious, but many times when leaders are looking to drop something from a session, this is the first thing to go. Bible skills, however, are important to teaching kids not just what is in God’s Word but how to use God’s Word.
Devotionals. Using a classroom devotional as part of your teaching will help kids to unfold truths from Scripture that might get overlooked. Using devotionals also gives kids a way to see why these are such valuable tools and may get them using these tools with their Bible study during the week.
Dramatic Play. Most of the time, we think this is only for preschoolers. Older kids, however, still enjoy imaginative play and you can guide your kids to engage with Scripture by acting out the adventures within the text.
Reflective Interpretation. There are a variety of learning styles and reflective learning is one of those styles. Reflective learners will enjoy the opportunity to sit quietly with their Bible open and think about the Bible story they heard.
Small Groups. Peer-led groups are sometimes a great idea—most kids relate to one another better than they relate to adults. Find older kids who might want to lead a small group discussion on biblical topics and give them an opportunity to do just that.
Journaling. Journaling is an important skill for kids to develop as they dive deeper into God’s Word. Let kids decorate a journal that they can use as they engage God in the study of His Word.

I’ve given you a few to get you started, and many other methods can be used to help God’s Word infiltrate our kids’ lives. Feel free to comment with some of your favorite strategies for incorporating God’s Word into your teaching environment.

Tim Pollard teaches 3rd-6th graders Explore the Bible: Kids Worship on Sunday nights at Tulip Grove Baptist Church. Tim leads the team that produces Explore the Bible: Kids.

Bible Study, Kids Ministry, Leadership, Sunday School

May 5, 2014

Parents in Small Groups: Where are the Kids?

By Jana Magruder

Church culture has been shifting more and more to a small group model. Many churches still have a teaching hour on Sundays and other on-site programming during the week, while even more churches have switched to off-site small groups. What does this mean for kids? This usually means kids have less time at church, but do not have another intentional hour (or more) like their parents experience through small group time during the week.

Our hope as Kids Ministry leaders is that parents are using those extra hours not spent at church to be intentional with their own families. The reality is that I don’t hear a lot about kids doing anything at all during the “small group” hour.

My husband and I have been in multiple small groups (community groups, missional community, home groups, etc). The scenarios presented for our kids during these times have been: take kids and let them watch a movie in the host’s playroom, hire a babysitter to watch all kids at the host home, or hire a babysitter to watch our kids at home. None of those translate to intentional time of kids learning the Bible, hearing the gospel, or developing meaningful relationships like their parents are getting to do during their small group.

I know there are groups out there that have been creative about using small group time as a way for their kids to be fed spiritually. It seems to be the exception, however.

Kids Ministry leader, how can we equip adult small groups with strategies, materials, models, for how to be intentional with their kids during these times?
Parent, how can you make it a priority to make up the hour that kids may have had at church some point in time?

I, personally, wrestle with these questions. Let’s work together to find solutions that fit a new church culture, but at the same time give kids what they may be missing such as corporate worship, hearing the gospel, and learning God’s word.

Jana Magruder serves as the Director of Kids Ministry Publishing. Jana brings a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and curriculum writing. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children attend Forest Hills Baptist Church where she teaches The Gospel Project to preteen girls.

Leadership, Small Groups, Sunday School, Training

March 19, 2014

5 Reasons Your Kids Need to be in a Small Group

By Jeffrey Reed

According to recent research, 18% of churches don’t provide a small group environment for their kids. We know that many of these churches simply do “kids church” or some other large-group offering. While we believe very strongly in large-group corporate worship experiences for kids, we also believe that it is critical for kids to be in smaller groups of community, like Sunday School or Wednesday night kids groups. And, before we dive into it, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the expectations that God places on adult believers is any different that those He places on the young (1 Timothy 4:12).

Here are five reasons that small groups are critical for kids:

1) Small groups are modeled throughout Scripture.

Dozens of other passages point to the importance of community outside the context of corporate worship (including Psalm 133:1, Acts 2:46, and Galatians 6:2). In other words, you might consider that offering small groups to kids is an act of obedience to Scripture.

2) Kids grow with a leader they know.

It’s a little sing songy, but it’s a truth to which virtually every follower of Christ can attest. Kids that regularly attend Sunday school are more likely to have a consistent walk with Jesus. It’s not a fail-safe, but we are talking about beating the odds, aren’t we? Kids small group leaders are that other voice in a kids life.

3) Small groups demonstrate that life is not done in isolation.

Proverbs 27:17 shows that God can work in us through others. Small groups provide accountability. Many adults struggle in their faith because they never learned this principle.

4) Leaders are developed through small groups.

The easiest way for a church to determine what a person’s gifts are, is in a small group. Imagine how effective those kids will be when they are allowed to use their gifts at an earlier age. (Many churches don’t allow kids to serve until they are…well…not kids anymore.) Don’t wait. Develop leadership now.

5) Decisions are made in small groups.

Do you want to go to camp this summer? Would you be interested in serving the church by helper with the younger kids? Here’s the BIG one: Have you considered surrendering your life to Jesus Christ? When kids are in community, these questions are, literally, right before them. Not only that, but the answered are heard.

What is your strategy for small groups for kids?

Interested in learning more about starting small groups in your church? Check out Groups Matter to learning about developing, launching, and feeding small groups — of any age.

Jeffrey Reed serves as the Director of Kids Ministry for LifeWay. He came to LifeWay with a wide variety of ministry experiences including worship leader, director of children’s ministry, and executive leadership in several growing congregations. Jeffrey’s posts will give your heart and brain a workout, just like the fitness Boot Camp he leads in the mornings for LifeWay employees. Jeffrey and his wife Katherine have 4 kids.

Leadership, Sunday School, Training

October 31, 2013

The 6 Habits of Highly Effective Small Group Leaders

By Bill Emeott

I’ve been around a lot of kids Bible study leaders over the years and have noticed that the really good ones seem to have similar habits and practices.

As a Sunday School teacher myself, I’ve found when I practice these six principles, things go a lot better for me and the kids.

1. Be Prepared

Good teachers understand that it doesn’t “just happen” but they must take time to adequately prepare both spiritually and physically. Prayer and personal Bible study lead to what I call “overflow teaching.” God wants to speak to the kids in your class from the overflow of what He’s shared in your heart. Failure to plan is planning to fail. Review and prepare the curriculum and be ready to teach. (Additionally: I’ve found that half the discipline problems in small groups would be alleviated if teachers were better prepared.)

2. Be Smart

Be smart about teaching. I often challenge teachers to be the teacher, not the facilitator. Anyone can facilitate, good learning happens when leaders know and understand the kids they’re leading and choose to teach, not just “get through the day.” Take the time to learn the general and specific characteristics of the kids you’re teaching and then prepare your sessions accordingly.

3. Be On Time

Small group Bible study begins when the first child enters the room. You need to be there early and be ready for that first child. What happens in your classroom 15 minutes before the first child gets there sets the tone for the entire day. Be first, be early, and be ready!

4. Be Intentional

Small group Bible study leaders only get around an hour each week to help boys and girls hear, understand, and connect biblical content. Be intentional in your teaching. While it’s important to make it fun and engaging, be careful to intentionally make that fun foundational and evangelical. If you’re leading an art activity, be intentional to reinforce the biblical content either directly or through guided conversation that helps kids connect. Again, be a teacher, not a facilitator.

5. Be Flexible

If it’s not working, do something different! Be okay with changing things up in mid-stream if that’s what’s best. You can dig in your heels, refuse to budge, and push through an ineffective activity, or you can just admit it’s not working and try something that might. My experiences have taught me that “hot potato” memory verse works every time. So, that’s my “back-up plan” should the prepared activity start to tank. Be the teacher!

6. Be Relational

It’s true; kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Build relationships with kids and their families. They’ll remember that you loved them. Long after your students have promoted they’ll continue to connect your love with His Love. Don’t be a “clanging cymbal!” Show love, care, and compassion. Live out what you teach.

I’d love to hear what you think. Share your thoughts and other habits you’ve found helpful as you lead kids in your church!

Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as the Lead Childhood Ministry Specialist for LifeWay. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an Uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for seven years.

Encouragement, Training

April 6, 2010

Cats, Babies, and Bible Study

By Bill Emeott

There are a lot of different ways to do the same thing. I learned that from my father. He would say, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” I don’t know why he would say something so gross (he never has liked cats), but I did learn the principle of getting results in different ways.

Dad also taught me another saying, "Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water." Again, why would you even consider such a thing (we wouldn’t). From that I learned that you don’t always have to change everything to experience good change.

Sunday School/Bible Study (or what ever you call you Bible learning experience for kids) has experienced a lot of changes lately. I want to share some good reasons why I think you should include “small-group” (the baby) in your Bible study experiences for Kids.

Small-group experiences (when kids are together in multiple small groups) help children hear God’s Word, know God’s Word, and do God’s Word. Kids learn to use the bible and apply what they learn.
Small-group experiences facilitate more peer-to –peer interactions among the kids.
Small-group experiences give kids better opportunity to discover Bible truths through self-discovery.
Small-group experiences provide a greater opportunity for hands-on learning.
Small–group learning enables kids to apply the Bible truth and to make specific application to their daily lives.
Small-group learning is typically more child directed than leader directed.
Small-group learning allows the teacher to customize the experience to include consideration of the kid’s learning personalities and preferences.
In a small-group learning experience kids can work at their own pace to facilitate learning.

Bottom Line: Large groups and small groups will both have importance in a Bible study experience. Don’t forget that it’s both and, not either or!

Thank you to Tim Pollard and Scott Wiley for contributing to this post. For more information on this and other kids ministry questions check out Kids Ministry 101: Practical Answers to Questions About Kids Ministry