Principles of Intergenerational Small Groups
Intergenerational small groups are small groups where all generations come together to “Love God, Love One another, and Love the Lost.” Values and structure are the same as any other small groups – with the exception of the Kids’ Slot when the children or adults go to another room. Each member should take their turn of facilitating “Kids’ Slot” (in twos).
Practicalities:
Welcome
Ensure all ages interact and are included in the preparation and serving.
Icebreaker
Everyone (children, too) respond to a simple question. A sense of “order” is created to flow into worship.
Worship
Begin by standing, holding hands, and welcoming Jesus, praying, etc. This ensures that everyone (including the children) are ready.
Use creativity, e.g. read/write a Psalm together; listen and write what the Holy Spirit is saying; write a love letter to Jesus and read it to the group.
Seating arrangements: place children among the adults so appropriate help and interaction takes place between the generations.
Word
Children’s material should run parallel to the adults: simplified and with added creativity. They, too, can apply the Word to their lives.
Witness
Depending on the topic, the children can either do a simplified version or join the adults. (This may vary from week to week.)
And finally: When adults, teens, and children return together they can share what the Holy Spirit did in their respective groups.
Just Like Adults
Any questions you have, begin by asking, “What would we do if this was an adult?” and you will find the same answer is generally true!
-
It is the children’s small group meeting, “Just like adults”!
-
Children have a range of understanding - check they understand “Just like adults”!
-
Ensure each child is included and understands “Just like adults”!
-
If they are not paying attention, are absent, or dominating the group, think what you would do if that was an adult! It is “Just like adults”!
-
Treat their input seriously, ask for opinions and ideas “Just like adults”!
-
Check they are not sitting too closely together, “Just like adults”!
-
Use creativity “Just like adults”!Do not make the meeting child-focused – but Jesus-focused “Just like adults”! Etc.