Have you ever tried to talk to a kid and realized you had no clue what to say next? Or maybe you were locked in conversation, but had zero idea what the kid was talking about. Or maybe you knew exactly what they were saying, but you were too shocked to know how to respond. Creating great conversations with kids week after week can be challenging, and we’re here to help.

Today on the Think Orange Podcast, Jeanne Stevens, one of the lead pastors of Soul City Church in Chicago, joins us to talk about the role creativity plays in creating great conversations with kids from a storyteller’s perspective. Then our friends Toni Collier and Brooklyn Lindsey interview Afton Phillips, Orange’s Director of Lead Small, about creating great conversations with kids in a small group setting. This is an episode that communicators and Small Group Leaders (SGLs) alike won’t want to miss!

Welcome to Episode 20 of the Think Orange Podcast.

Topic Timeline:

Beginning of talk with Jeanne Stevens (3:11)

The resistance we face in creativity (3:11)

There’s a divine connection between God as Creator and us as the created (4:10)

Myths of creativity and inspiration (5:07)

  • Creativity only comes from creative types of people
  • Creativity is motivated by money
  • Creativity is fueled by time pressure
  • Creativity is a solo venture
  • Creativity happens only in streamlined organizations

Breaking through the myths of creativity and inspiration (8:27)

  • Stop worrying about what results will emerge and instead start to imagine
  • Establish disciplines in the creative process

Toni Collier and Brooklyn Lindsey’s interview with Afton Phillips (13:48)

Measuring what a great conversation with a kid or student looks like (17:07)

Common barriers to creating conversations with the next generation (20:05)

Kids learn best when they’re able to apply truth themselves (21:13)

How a small group setting encourages great conversations (22:45)

Hindrances to kids and students feeling comfortable at church (25:35)

Using icebreaker questions to connect with kids (28:30)

Tips for SGLs to foster ongoing conversations with parents (36:00)

Onstage communicators have the opportunity to set up SGLs to win (39:35)

Dave’s final thoughts (42:05)