Ministry Connections: Small Groups
by Bill Donahue

Volume 14 Issue 2, 2007

Small Groups & Little People

Groups for Kids

Since the early 1990s Willow has been intentional about group life for children, beginning at age 3 in our Promiseland children’s ministry. My kids have grown up in these groups, where they learned to care for others, connect with God, understand biblical truth and build lasting friendships. My son, 17, now gives back to this ministry by leading a group of 2nd and 3rd grade boys Sunday mornings. And my 10-year-old daughter’s group provides a place to talk about the Bible lesson, learn to pray, and to care for others. You can learn more about how these groups work by visiting the Promiseland Web site or attending the conference.

Groups with Kids

Adult group leaders often ask, “What do you do with the kids during meetings?” Assuming the kids are small but not nursing infants, here are some strategies. Members can chip in a few dollars each and hire childcare at the meeting. Some groups rotate that responsibility among group members each meeting. Typically, part of the meeting includes the kids (a meal, some social time, or some prayer for the kids). Then adults and kids separate to delve into a more focused discussion and prayer.

Gail and I led a couples group when we had small children. In three years there were nine births: seven children and two groups! We included kids every third meeting and lived with the chaos. On other occasions each couple got a sitter, or we brought a teenager to the meetings to supervise kids for part of the meeting. Some churches provide childcare, though I do not recommend this except for special groups (single parents, needy families, etc). One church subsidizes the cost for young families while yet another uses the “sister-group” approach. Group A cares for the kids of group B when they meet, and visa versa.

Groups and Kids — Together by Design

We started intergenerational groups years ago to incorporate kids into group life, a practice our new neighborhood-based ministry uses as well. Typically a larger group (20-25 including kids) will gather for two-three hours. Singles, widowed, divorced, married-without-kids, and families with children are in the mix. I was in such a group, so here’s a sketch of what that was like.

Meetings begin with some social time around snacks. Then the group does a creative project or activity. This might be a walk to collect artifacts from nature, acting out the Christmas Story, or designing a poster. We intentionally mingled kids and adults, not usually from the same families. Then we’d gather for some singing (accompanied by a guitar, CD, piano or just a cappella) before launching into a creative Bible discussion that applied to all ages. After about 30 minutes the kids would go to another room while adults experienced deeper prayer and connection.

Then we gather for dinner and everyone is assigned a task — setting up chairs, pouring drinks, putting out utensils. During the meal we’d often discuss a question that was on a card at our place setting. Children always sat among the adults. The potluck meal and dessert are followed by a forming a circle for a final blessing. It is a rich experience that can be done weekly or just once or twice a month.

This combination of intergenerational interaction, structured and unstructured learning experiences, and just plain fun has had a profound impact on everyone. Serving others and inviting new friends is a natural next step. So let the children come, as Jesus encouraged. Throw in some structure and some food, and watch how God shapes you and your kids!

Bill Donahue is the executive director of small groups for the Willow Creek Association

Back to Top >        WCA News Overview >