​Legacy Kids SGL (Small Group Leader) 

Welcome SGL , 
       Legacy Kids is so excited that you've accepted this invitation to potentially lead a small group in our Kids Ministry.  We hold all of our SGLs to a high standard and a place of honor for their vital role in winning Kids for Christ! No matter what age group you are interacting with (Nursery, PreK, K5) we hope you will find this page helpful. We believe safety and education is vital as families entrust us with the care and spiritual growth of their kids. Welcome to the Kids Team! Below are some steps you will go through to become a leader.
  1. Invitation to serve.  (YIPPIE)
  2. Meeting with Kids Director. Areas of interest in Kids Ministry and spiritual giftings will be discussed. (Button to "Connect" below)
  3. Background check consent if you are over 18 years of age.
  4. Shadowing with another SGL.
  5. Refresher opportunities with other SGLs. Offered throughout the year.
  6. Placed on the schedule for monthly serving.
  7. Enrich your knowledge with the training videos below. Start with Session 1 at the bottom.

The video training sessions below are meant to kick off thoughts about what this kind of leadership looks like at Legacy and with Kids! Start with "Just a Phase" for your age group. Then you can continue with Session 1. After you view a video, take a moment to reflect on the questions provided. Take your time, maybe a session a week.
>>If you want to continue the conversation, or you have questions, contact [email protected]<<

Just a Phase PreK

Just a Phase K-5

Session 1 - Big Challenge, Small Solution

As a church we are facing a BIG challenge: at least half of the kids who grow up in church will walk away from their faith in college.
But we think there might be a solution, and we think that solution is YOU. Here are a few questions to get you thinking about how you can help kids cultivate stronger faith.

  1. What was your experience with the church growing up? If you grew up in the church, did you stay involved after high school? Why or why not? 
  2. What made you feel called to be a Legacy SGL? Why do you think God has called you to this specific role? 
  3. What are some ways you could try to know your students personally? How do you remember their interests, prayer requests, or special events?  
  4. How has someone been physically present in your life? What did they do, even if it was small at the time, to leave an impression on you?

Session 2 - Engage Everyday Faith

Our goal is to help kids and teenagers develop an everyday faith by practicing the four faith skills: 1. hearing from God, 2. talking about God, 3. praying to God, and 4. living for God.

After the video, reflect on these questions:
  1. What makes devotional habits difficult for you personally?
  2. What is tricky about teaching a kid or teenager to HEAR God through God’s Word?”
  3. What does prayer time look like in your group?
  4. What might make it difficult for kids to talk about God in groups? What about outside group?
  5. What is one way groups of kids/teenagers can serve together?

Session 3 - Create a Safe Place

Do you know...

            my name?
            where I live?
            what matters to me?
            what I've done?
            what I can do?
This session focuses on the ways we can create a safe place for kids and teenagers.
​
After the video, reflect on these questions:
  1. What might we miss out on if we don’t know (or pronounce correctly) a kid’s name?
  2. What is something the kids you serve are really into right now? (a game, a song, a TV show)
When we get to know kids and teenagers personally, we may discover something that surprises us. Maybe they reveal something about where they live or what they’ve done that we didn’t expect. In those moments, our reactions are VERY important.

​Practice your reaction to the following scenario. What would you say? How might your face communicate something different? 
  • A kid/teenager shares their parents are separated and divorcing.
  • A kid/teenager shares they stole something at a store this week.
  • A kid/teenager shares they are struggling with mental health.

Session 4 - Learn to Listen




​Highlights:
SPEAK less,
LISTEN more,
CONTROL less,
SCRIPT less,
​IMPROVISE more.
In our conversations, there will always be surprises. And this month we’re talking about how to make the most of those moments when the conversation takes an unexpected twist.
​
After the video, reflect on these questions:
  1. Am I "getting leading right?" What could I do better?
  2. What should I do when the conversation goes off the rails? 
  3. How do you handle prayer with the kids? 
Maybe you invite kids to pray out loud. Maybe you invite kids to pray silently. Maybe you repeat a prayer together or share prayer requests in pairs. Maybe you complete your prayer journal. Anyway you'd like to, just be SURE to do it every time you gather with the kids.
​
​Practice your reaction to the following scenarios: 
  • A preschooler is having a meltdown because they miss their parent or caregiver.
  • Your preschoolers don’t know some of the words in the Bible story.
  • The adult sermon is going longer than expected and your group is getting restless. 
  • A K-5 ONLY wants to talk about their new pet. They interrupt every activity to tell you one new thing about their pet.
  • A K-5 won’t talk at all.  
  • You realize your group didn’t understand the Bible story at all and they’re having a hard time with the activities.
  • A K-5 asks a question about God/the Bible and you don’t know the answer.​

Session 5 - Do Something

If we want kids to be a part of the church when they grow out of our programming we need to move them to BE the church when they are with us. This month, you will learn how to move the students to serve.

What opportunities are available to kids at Legacy to serve?​
  • Ask Mrs. Cindi how to get involved and help
  • Families can do a litter pickup together
  • Families can help others alongside their peers
  • Help kids younger than themselves
  • Leading in worship (When we sing on stage!)

Session 6 - Meet the Parents

In this session we will learn that no one has more influence in a kid or teenager’s life than a parent or guardian, and small group leaders are the shortest distance between the church and the home.

Now, some questions to think on as you view this training.
  1. What is one thing the Church could have done for your parents or caregivers growing up?
  2. What makes it tricky to partner with parents and help them win? Make sure to lead with compassion here. Remember, every parent wants to be a good parent.
  3. What is one thing volunteers at Legacy Kids can do to connect with parents?