“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you oerseers, to care for the church of God, which He obvtained with His own blood” Acts 20:28

“Know well the conditions of your flocks, and give attention to your herds” Proverbs 27:23

Programs……………………………………………………..Ministry

Activities…………………………………………………Relationships

Tasks………………………………………………………...…..People

Convenient………………………………………….……Commitment

Come & Go……………………………………………………Ongoing

Inparting Knowledge......................................Imparting Love & Life

Chaperone……………………………………………….…..Shepherd 

You want Some Practical Principles for Getting Started?

1.    Learn names!

2.    Treat students as people not projects.

3.    Listen, listen, listen!  (ministry of presence)

4.    Initiate conversations.  (even though it might be awkward!)

5.    Show an interest in the student’s interests!

6.    Be real!

7.    Look for the good in a student.

8.    Focus on a few—but don’t isolate yourself from other students.

9.    Communicate with students through e-mail, phone and notes. 

10.  Connect with students outside of small group night!

Don’t forget!

Your role is to be an adult mentor!  You should not be seeking to be a peer with students, nor should you cater to students in order to win their acceptance or approval.  You represent Christ to students.  Students expect you to challenge them in their walk with Christ and most really want you to, so take the initiative!

If you have 15 minutes…

• Write an encouraging note to a student
• Make a phone call to a student
• Drive a student home from a program (same sex only)
• Initiate two 1-on-1 conversations before or after Big Group Night
• Read one of the sections from this manual!

If you have 30 minutes…

• Do two of the above ideas!
• Do your quiet time and pray for a student/family on your heart
• Have a coke/coffee with a student after the program
• Take a student with you on an errand
• Write a letter to a parent telling them the good things you see in their kid
• Visit www.thesource4ym.com  article archives section and read up on youth culture
• Have lunch at the school in your area. Meet some of the kids from your small group there

If you have 2 hours…

• Have lunch with a parent and tell them in person about the things you wrote in the letter (from the above list)!
• Help a student with their homework
• Plan a special outing with your small group for their next day off from school
• Plan a special onr night Bible discussion on a topic your small group would benefit from discussing.
• Have a movie night with a discussion from a Christian perspective (visit www.christianitytoday.com or www.pluggedin.com for ideas. Search by movie title)
• Write everyone in your small group a personal note

If you have 4 hours…

• Volunteer to help out at the next “Big Night” event
• Plan and conduct an outreach
• Attend a sporting event that you know lots of your students will be attending. Invite them to your house for pizza afterward