Yesterday Steven wrote about ending his 8th grade small group with a bang. They have a great overnight outing planned and still have about a month left with his group before they move on to high school. It made me think that I want to begin my new 9th grade small group with a bang. By that I mean I want to go out of my way to make my new group feel comfortable and safe and that the lessons and life examples taught to them by Steven and his co-leader Kyle will continue on.
Since the first day that Steven asked if I would be interested in taking his small group when they reached high school I was honored that he asked and at the same time I know the amount of trust that he and Kyle have placed in me. I’ve watched in amazement over the past two years as the two of them poured into these students. I’ve seen them laugh with these guys and cry with them, I’ve watched as Steven and Kyle met each week before their small group time so they could go over the lesson and the night’s events and to pray for their guys. I’ve been with Steven as he got phone calls and text messages from students needing his help. Never once did he divulge to me what the problem was or the student’s name, he always kept the confidential stuff to himself while I sat there and watched the sadness or frustration on his face as he worked towards a resolution to a problem for a student.
I also know how Steven and Kyle live their lives and how they put God first and how they are both Godly men and excellent examples for students in every area of their personal lives. I’m telling you all of this because I am very aware that I have a big set of shoes to fill or I should say sandals since Steven and Kyle rarely wear shoes.
That being said I’m spending the summer in prayer and doing a lot of thinking on how I keep the momentum going that Steven and Kyle have built up in this group. This week we had not thought about writing the entire week about planning for next school year’s small groups but I think God has taken our blog that way this week and we hope if you’re getting a new student small group that you’re already praying and planning for them.
Kyle and Steven
