BEFORE GROUP BOTTOM LINE Sometimes friends are more like family. SCRIPTURE “And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself” (1 Samuel 18:3 NLT). GOAL OF SMALL GROUP To show students that not all families are the same and that they can connect with or be a part of a non-biological family. THINK ABOUT THIS This week will be key for those of your students in unique family situations. Those who are adopted, living in foster care, surrounded by dysfunction, being raised by someone other than their parents, spending most of their family time with friends—this conversation will be especially important for them. Not only are you creating space for them to open up about unique family dynamics or situations they may be in, you’re also giving them the reassurance that they’re not alone in feeling this way about their family. And on top of that, you’re giving them a place to belong and connect to a family within your Small Group. That is all huge for a middle schooler in this phase! This guide is a suggestion, not a formula. Adjust the questions and activities as needed, and don’t feel like you need to do, or ask, everything you see here. DURING GROUP ICE BREAKER Who is your favorite TV best friend? DISCUSS THIS Transition: I wish those were my some of my real-life best friends! Honestly, I wish a lot of them were even my family! 1. What’s one way a friend can be more like family? 2. Why do you think it’s important to have friends who feel like family? 3. Who is one person outside of your family that feels like family to you? 4. How do we create a small group that feels like a family? (Note: Answer this question by doing the first XP.) DO THIS (EXPERIENCE) XP 1: Lead your students in creating 5 values that are unique to your Small Group. Think about how you want to treat each other, how you can feel more like family, and what’s important to your group. To help you do this, scatter the provided cards on the floor and rank them as a group in order of importance. Let the students debate these; it will help them verbalize their values. 5. How might knowing that you are a part of the family of God change the way you feel about family? 6. How might knowing that you are a part of the family of God change the way you feel about God? DO THIS (EXPERIENCE) XP 2: Schedule a Small Group “family meal.” This could be anything from getting ice cream together, ordering a pizza during group, or having everyone over to your house for taco night. Get creative and have fun spending time with your Small Group family! SMALL GROUP FAM / Week 4 SMALL GROUP LEADER GUIDE
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BEFORE GROUP
BOTTOM LINE Sometimes friends are more like family. SCRIPTURE “And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself” (1 Samuel 18:3 NLT). GOAL OF SMALL GROUP To show students that not all families are the same and that they can connect with or be a part of a non-biological family.
THINK ABOUT THIS This week will be key for those of your students in unique family situations. Those who are adopted, living in foster care, surrounded by dysfunction, being raised by someone other than their parents, spending most of their family time with friends—this conversation will be especially important for them. Not only are you creating space for them to open up about unique family dynamics or situations they may be in, you’re also giving them the reassurance that they’re not alone in feeling this way about their family. And on top of that, you’re giving them a place to belong and connect to a family within your Small Group. That is all huge for a middle schooler in this phase! This guide is a suggestion, not a formula. Adjust the questions and activities as needed, and don’t feel like you need to do, or ask, everything you see here.
DURING GROUP ICE BREAKER Who is your favorite TV best friend? DISCUSS THIS Transition: I wish those were my some of my real-life best friends! Honestly, I wish a lot of them were even my family! 1. What’s one way a friend can be more like family? 2. Why do you think it’s important to have friends who feel like family? 3. Who is one person outside of your family that feels like family to you? 4. How do we create a small group that feels like a family? (Note: Answer this question by doing the first XP.)
DO THIS (EXPERIENCE) XP 1: Lead your students in creating 5 values that are unique to your Small Group. Think about how you want to treat each other, how you can feel more like family, and what’s important to your group. To help you do this, scatter the provided cards on the floor and rank them as a group in order of importance. Let the students debate these; it will help them verbalize their values. 5. How might knowing that you are a part of the family of God change the way you feel about family? 6. How might knowing that you are a part of the family of God change the way you feel about God?
DO THIS (EXPERIENCE) XP 2: Schedule a Small Group “family meal.” This could be anything from getting ice cream together, ordering a pizza during group, or having everyone over to your house for taco night. Get creative and have fun spending time with your Small Group family!
S M A L L G R O U P
FAM / Week 4
SMALL GROUP LEADER GUIDE
WE
LAUG
H TO
GETH
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ALW
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