Building Community Through Student Small Groups

1. Building Community Through Student Small Groups Source: Bo Boshers John.chandler@vbmb.org

2. Why Mosaics Matter • 76 million of them by the end of 2002. • add immigration, they will easily exceed the record-setting Boomers by several million • Along with their massive size, they will likely be • the longest living • the best educated • the wealthiest and • the most wired/wireless.

3. Mosaics are not like boomers or busters… • Boomers left little to the imagination as to where they stood regarding war, sexuality, church, materialism, other issues • Busters were less overt and communicative but no less definitive • Whenever there was any doubt as to where the Busters stood, it was a pretty safe bet that you could simply identify the Boomer perspective and assign the antithetical view to Busters. • Mosaics, however, are an unusual amalgam, blending the ideas and behaviors of Boomers and Busters with their own unique views and ideas. • Mosaics will baffle millions of people with their unpredictable, quixotic, seemingly inconsistent and idiosyncratic values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors

4. “Mosaics” (1984-2002) • Their primary information and connection—the Internet—is the most bizarre, inclusive and ever-changing pastiche of information ever relied upon by humankind • Lifestyles are an eclectic combination of traditional and alternative activities • first generation with a nonlinear style of thinking • a mosaic, connect-the-dots-however-you-choose approach • central spiritual tenets are a customized blend of multiple-faith views and religious practices. • core values a cut-and-paste mosaic of feelings, facts, principles, experiences and lessons • relationships more racially integrated and fluid than in U.S. history

5. They run in tribes, and the nature of the tribes change regularly The church may be a place where they can come and experience life and truth in community Strong questions about the purpose of life, and a willingness to live with ambiguity Relationships are paramount There is no such thing as absolute moral truth They have lots of questions about sexual identity and acceptance “Real Teens” (www.Barna.org)

6. Five Vital Signs of a Healthy Student Small Group • Functions well as a care center. • A place where healing and confession can take place • A place to share pain and fear • Even new Christians are carrying enough damage that the ground must be made level before sending out into leadership situations

7. Types of Care • E.R. care • Long-term care • anniversaries of trauma • ongoing or chronic issues, and • developmental struggles “We were gentle with you, like a mother caring for her little children.” -- 1 Thessalonians 2:7

8. Five Vital Signs of a Healthy Student Small Group • Functions as a party center. • Major obstacle to mosaics entering faith: fear of loss of fun • “I’ll wait till I’m older to start keeping the rules!” “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement ..” Philemon 1:7

9. Five Vital Signs of a Healthy Student Small Group 3. They function as a fitness center. • Authentic prayer care • Close-to-the-Book study • Don’t let curriculum replace text • Heavy on memorization • Sustained encouragement “Encourage one another daily … so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” -- Hebrews 3:13

10. Five Vital Signs of a Healthy Student Small Group • They function as a discovery zone. • Developing and challenging students to identify and deploy their spiritual gifts

11. Five Vital Signs of a Healthy Student Small Group • They function as a launching pad. • Release dreams • Dealing with “life call” “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -- Jeremiah 29:11

12. Leading a Small Group • To choose to lead a small group of Mosaics is to make some difficult choices • Four choices to guide long term development of emerging leaders

13. 1. Make a choice not to judge, nor to fix, nor to change, but to love • “If I speak in the tongues of humans or angels but have not love, I am only a noisy gong or clanging cymbal.” • 1 Corinthians 13:1

14. 2. Choose to be a shepherd leader • “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” • Matthew 9:36

15. 3. Choose to tell the truth. • “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” • 2 Timothy 3:16 • Speaking the truth in love • Caring enough to correct

16. 4. Choose to finish the course. • “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” • 2 Timothy 4:7 • Starting and quitting may be more damaging than never having started

17. Evaluating the 5 Vital Signs • How would you evaluate the overall small group ministry health?

18. Evaluating 5 • Which of the five signs need the first work? • Care center • Party center • Fitness center • Discovery zone • Launching pad

19. Evaluating 5 3. Which of the five signs are you being very effective with? • Why? • What can we do to enhance this strength?

20. Evaluating 5 • What is one suggestion you’ve caught today that you can deploy in your own student ministry? • What is one practical step? • 3 months • 1 year • 3 years

21. Evaluating 5 • Why not me? • Knee-mail • That if God wants you to lead a small group … • If God wants you to find a small group… • If God wants you to improve your small group • … you will!

22. Building Community Through Student Small Groups Dr. John P. Chandler The Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership www.Rasnet.org Copy right John P. Chandler, 2002