04.13.10
Multi-Generational Small Groups: Pros, Cons, and Hurdles to Overcome
Next week I’ll be leading a session at Exponential Conference in Orlando ( I know, I know. You wish you had a job that sent you to Florida.). The topic… Multi-Generational Small Groups: Pros, Cons, and Hurdles to Overcome. In preparing for this experience I felt it necessary to ask some hard questions about discipleship, especially when it comes to children. Upon asking those questions I knew it was necessary to begin eating away at the elephant in the room… Are disciples best made in “classrooms” or through “relationships?” As you can see, I then felt the need to make a list of thoughts concerning age-graded classes and inter-generational groups.
While I believe both are vital and effective, I’d be thrilled to get your thoughts. Please read the rest of this blog post and comment for me.
What is a disciple?
What is disciple-making?
Can children be disciples?
Can children be discipled?
The Elephant in the room… Are disciples best made in “classrooms” or through “relationships?”
Age-graded Classes… a gathering of individuals in the same stage of learning
· create right learning environments for varying age groups
· in most instances the goal is to dispense and instill information
· utilize well-prepared, age appropriate curriculum for each age group
· one adult is affecting the growth of a given pupil
· the teacher’s only connection to the group may be with the individuals in the classroom (once a week leading pre-determined activities)
· the passion, thoughts, confessions, relational rebuilds, and actions and activities of the teacher may never be known to the pupil
· the pupil does not have a model of adults processing life’s hassles (through God’s words, spiritual gifts at work, the wisdom of those who have already been where another group member is at present, and the miracle of answered prayer)
Inter-Generational Groups… a gathering of individuals of all ages in the process of becoming like Christ
· creates a learning environment that utilizes the experiences of those of all ages, the simplicity of a child’s perspective, and the synergy of old and young in conversation
· the goal is to dispense and instill information and have models of those who are already doing so or are struggling to do so
· utilize well-prepared curriculum that allows those of all ages to tell their stories
· the synergy of the entire group is affecting the growth of each individual
· the leader, and all others in the group, connect between meeting to do life together (the outcome is that the younger group members see the Christian life being lived out rather than attending a weekly meeting)
· the passion, thoughts, confessions, relational rebuilds, and actions and activities of the entire group are modeled for future generations
· the young group member has a model, adults processing life’s hassles (through God’s words, spiritual gifts at work, the wisdom of those who have already been where another group member is at present, and the miracle of answered prayer)
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