Shedding Light
Friday May 1, 2020 | Gina McClainI love light. In the evening, as the sun sets, I walk around my house and turn on a few lights and lamps. I’ve never been a fan of dark. Maybe it’s some childhood heebie-jeebies lingering from my past. I remember feeling like the biggest chicken as a kid when I visited my grandparents. When […] Read more
42 Ways to Keep Showing Up
Friday May 1, 2020 | Orange LeadersWhen I first took on leading a small group I was scared. I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t think I had what it took. I was sure they wouldn’t like me. I wasn’t sure I would even like them, to be completely honest. My first night leading my girls I was overwhelmed. […] Read more
Deleting Digital Drama
Friday May 1, 2020 | Orange LeadersDrama is a part of every person’s life . . . especially teenagers. In the past, drama was easy to spot—it happened face to face and everyone knew who said what. But with the rise of the Internet and social media, drama has found its place in the digital world. Digital drama, more commonly known […] Read more
The Balance of Real and Weird
Friday May 1, 2020 | CJ PalmerAs a small group leader, you’re probably encouraged to be open and honest with your students about your own life. After all, being open and honest paves the way to relational trust, which is crucial when you’re leading students. But one question many new leaders ask is, “How real should I be with my students?” […] Read more
The Sunday Morning Dinner Party Experience
Friday May 1, 2020 | CJ PalmerLet’s pretend that tonight you have to go to a dinner party. It’s not the kind of party you’re looking forward to, though. You’re going alone, you know very few people, if any, who will be there, and you fear you will end up making small talk with acquaintances all evening. You’re not even sure how […] Read more
What To Do If You Have A Bad Co-Leader
Friday May 1, 2020 | CJ PalmerMost of the time, having a co-leader is awesome. It’s awesome to have someone else walking through the SGL experience with you. It’s awesome to have someone you can silently laugh with when a kid says something ridiculous during group. And it’s awesome to have someone you can rely on when you can’t make it […] Read more
Your Very First Conversation with a Student with Special Needs
Friday May 1, 2020 | Orange LeadersOf course, I can add another student to my few. Sure, I’d love to come meet her. After two steps, I pull up short. With my heart in my throat and my mind racing, I realize I have no idea what to do next. Waiting at the door is a lovely girl with special needs […] Read more
When the Going Gets Tough And You Feel Like Giving Up
Friday May 1, 2020 | CJ PalmerHow do you prepare for a tough workout at the gym? Most athletes will tell you that the best way to prepare is to eat well and get a great night’s sleep. Why? Because when you’re in the moment – when you’re halfway through a set of 50 pushups – the desire to keep going dramatically […] Read more
You Might be a High School GIRLS SGL if…
Friday May 1, 2020 | Adriana HowardSmall group leaders are a wonderful—and wonderfully peculiar—brand of people. If you’ve spent time, man hours, blood, sweat, tears, more tears and sometimes more blood as a student ministry GIRLS small group leader, congratulations. You are among the proud and few! Coincidentally, you are also probably among these people! You might be a High School […] Read more
