If you have been in Awana for any length of time, then you remember when small group time was called handbook time. The change to small group time is a significant shift for Awana and many clubs are struggling with it.
I know a children’s pastor who switched from a “Sunday School” model to small groups and when they announced the switch they lost all of their teachers!! God did provide a new team of small group leaders for them. The point, some people may not embrace the additional responsibility of being a small group leader vs a handbook leader. What is the difference? I wrote about that back in 2014, well before the new T&T Mission series was released and you can read that here.
When I was interviewed by Christianity Today a few years ago regarding the switch to the new format of focusing on one lesson per week, I mentioned that the new format did make it harder to recruit leaders because before I could share that it is a great ministry – you come, listen to kids recite Scripture, get blessed, and then go home. They would be done for the week, no prep; whereas now I am asking them to come prepared and facilitate a discussion on the topic of the night.
From my perspective, Awana has not provided much guidance on small group time except to provide discussion questions and a format for the time. Missionaries have worked to provide training, and there was a webinar talking about the small group leader guide, so there is some training and information. I think the lack of resources on how to be a small group leader could be leading to the issues that several clubs are experiencing with the Mission series of handbooks and suggested format.
There are other ministries that I consider leaders in the small group format. My friends at Rethink (Orange) have been focused on the small group format for several years. If you are looking for something to help your leaders embrace and understand being a small group leader, then I would encourage you to purchase Lead Small and read it along with your Awana leadership.
The book covers five main topics of leading small groups:
- Be Present
- Create a Safe Place
- Partner with Parents
- Make it Personal
- Move Them Out
Each area is key to being an effective small group leader. Can you do it all in the short amount of time you have during Awana? Possibly, but to excel, you need to connect throughout the week as well.
Making the switch from a handbook leader to a small group leader can be difficult. If I can help in anyway, please feel free to contact me.
(I have received no compensation for recommending this book and do not receive commissions if you opt to purchase it)
