Adult Volunteer Retreat
Growing leaders are learners. We want to equip and encourage leaders on how to influence students with the gospel. Last saturday, we spent a morning together on Lake Weir with our adult volunteers! It was a great time to share vision and train new and existing leaders to lead groups at Source!
Highlights of the retreat
Building community: We enjoyed learning more about each other and how to lead in student ministry more effectively. I'm blessed to have a great team of adults who want to influence students for Christ! Learning from each other: I was impressed with many leaders who knew their stuff! I learned a lot from them as we discussed the leader handbook and small group training. Defining expectations: It is great to communicate the expectations of what a healthy small group looks like and how to lead one to grow. What went well: The handouts ended up being a great tool for leaders to follow along with the training. The discussion and excitement of leaders was great and encouraging. Anytime a bunch of adults who love students get together, it is always a great time!
Schedule: 9:00-9:30am - Eat breakfast together 9:30-9:45am - Vision, Values and the main purpose to partner with parents 9:45-10:10 - Ways to serve, explanation of ministries (Source Wednesday nights, Habitudes for middle school, Area Bible studies for high school). 10:10-10:30 - Break 10:30-11:30 - Small Group training (3 elements of a healthy small group, Do's and Don't's of Small groups, The Art of asking questions, Understanding student learning styles). 11:30-11:50 - Boundaries, Code of Conduct 11:50-Noon - Giveaways to leaders (starbucks, cold stone creamery)
Handouts of the training: - Volunteer Handbook 2012-2013: To receive a copy of our volunteer handbook, shoot me an email -Small Group Toolkit(we added this to the back of the handbook. The info was compiled with resources such as simply youth ministry, lifechurch.tv, and my own stuff).
- Get to Know You (we use this tool to get to know students. It is a good reference for small groups leaders to keep so they can care and encourage them throughout the year).
- I gave each leader the book: "7 Best Practices for Teaching Teenagers the Bible." from youthministry360. It is a good tool for leaders to effectively lead groups.
If you have any feedback, thoughts or suggestions, please comment below!
Source SM Recap: Volume #8
Teaching series: Rhythm - Week 1 "Wonder"
Main Thought: We will discover that being in rhythm with God means that He alone has captured our sense of wonder
Length of service: 70 minutes. We have separate teaching time for middle school and high school. We have a unified worship experience with the band in the middle of the evening. We have small groups immediately after the teaching and response by grade and gender.
Messsage Explanation: The first week of the Rhythm series sets up the premise that in the beginning, God established a rhythm. We will be talking about the glory of God in creation and always being captivated by His wonder. We will also look at God’s response to Adam’s sin, and we'll see that God continues to seek relationship with us even after things have fallen apart. The cross isn’t just where Jesus died. It is where we come to die with Him. Scripture: Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:1-13, Isaiah 53:5-6, Romans 5:10, Luke 19:10, 1 Peter 2:24.
Element of fun: The middle school students played the old school game of "Simon says" but with one of our leaders names, "Jason says." It was a great night to welcome our new 6th grade students into the student ministry!
Music Set: You Deserve, Love, God is Able, All I Need is You, Give Me Faith, It is Finished (closing)
Favorite Moment: Sensing the excitement and passion from the students on our first Wednesday night at Source. We had a great turnout for our first night and look forward to what God has in the future!
What's Next: We will be continuing our series "Rhythm" next week. We will be talking about discovering the heart of discipleship. Jesus died so He could be our life, not just part of it!
Download Notes from this week: Rhythm - Wonder (teaching outline) Leader Small Group Discussion Guide Student-outline- notes