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7 Ways to Connect with Your Small Group Students

Do you ever feel like you are not connecting with your small group students? Sometimes, I can hang with some students, and suddenly feel so disconnected to them, and feel that our relationship is not healthy or strong. How can we build stronger relationships and connect more deeply with the students in our small groups?

1. Visit them at their house

This seems old-fashioned, but it works. It not only allows you to get into their comfort zone, but you get the opportunity to connect and get to know their parents. If you are a small group leader, and do not even know where your students live, that is not a good thing. Visit them about once every month at their home.

2. Text them weekly

You should text them during the week to encourage them. Let them know that you were thinking of them and praying for them.

3. Attend events that they are involved in

If they are involved in drama, attend their dramas. If they are involved in sports, attend their sporting events. This shows that you care.

4. Invite them over to your house

If you get into their comfort zone, allow them to get into yours. Invite your small group over for pizza and to watch something on television. It gets them talking.

5. Eat lunch with your students

Now, many schools have outlawed this, but some still allow it. If your school allows it, take advantage of it.

6. Start a facebook group for your small group only

Post to this regularly with weekly prayer requests and thoughts. Also, post discussion questions for them to answer.

7. Take them out for pizza and an activity

Take your entire group to the movies if you find a good and fitting movie. You could take them to ride go karts or just to hang at the mall.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can better connect with your small group students. I encourage you to be creative and show your group that you care. If you have something that you have done with your group at some point in time, and would like to share, please feel free to comment below:

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joshhevans@churchleaders.com'
Josh Evans is the family pastor of the Oakleaf campus of Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. He has served in this position since June of 2014. Before that, Josh had been a mentor and pastor to students since 2006. Josh is passionate about seeing life change in families and teaching them the truths of the Word of God. Josh is a blogger, speaker, family pastor, and die-hard Duke Blue Devils fan! Josh and his wife Abby were married in February of 2008, and those years have been the happiest years of his life. Josh and Abby have two kids. Lynlee and Cameron. Josh and his family live in the Jacksonville, FL area. You can connect further with Josh on this blog or send him a direct email at joshhevans@gmail.com.