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Helps for Student Leaders
Synago Orientation Retreat and Practice Groups
By Karen Kluever
Here is an outline for an orientation retreat we held at Myers Park UMC for students we identified as potential leaders and adults we hoped would serve as counselors. Although, because we had a large youth group, we planned this as an all-day retreat, it could be modified to a two-hour event, depending on what your numbers, needs, and resources.
We held our retreat in the spring. The purpose was to give potential leaders an idea of what in the world we were talking about when we said “Synago small groups.” We invited these same students, over the summer, to attend a weekly small group “practice” meeting, as often as they could, to experience what it was like. (The summer groups were lead by me with another adult.)
Our youth ministry leadership team determined the Synago group leaders at the beginning of August. The small groups would then start the first or second week of school (using the same sessions we covered in our summer “practice” groups).
Synago Orientation Retreat
| 10am |
Depart from church |
| 11am |
Arrive; set up; lunch orders |
| 11:30-1pm |
SESSION 1
Welcome; opening devotion—youth minister
Skit to introduce small groups—youth & adult members of design team
Why small groups? (brief group discussion)—adult member, design team
Scriptural grounding, small groups and “the big picture”—youth minister |
| 1-2 |
LUNCH |
| 2-3:30 |
SESSION 2
Orientation video Synago Training Video ISBN:0687050235
Characteristics of small groups—youth member (design team)
Role/responsibilities of adult counselors—adult member (design team)
Role/responsibilities of student leaders—youth members (design team)
Timeline/ summer groups/ where to get members—youth minister or coordinator
Q & A |
| 3:30-4pm |
BREAK |
| 4-6pm |
SESSION 3
Synago mini-session (4-5:15)
Personal reflection (hand-out, quiet time)
Wrap-up & closing prayer—youth minister or coordinator |
A Word of Encouragement to Student-leaders
Feeling a little nervous about leading a small group? A bit overwhelmed? Wondering if you’ll be able to keep discussions alive? What if friends you invite don’t come? What if you get asked questions about God or Jesus or the Bible and you don’t know the answers? Don’t worry. You can do this! Here’s why:
- You’ve been chosen.
- You are not alone.
- You don’t have to be an expert.
- You can learn.
- You can expect great meetings and not-so-great meetings and that's ok.
- You have something special to offer—yourself.
Discussion Tips
One reason your group members will keep coming to your small group is the opportunity to talk with friends about a topic of personal interest and share things of a personal nature in a safe and confidential environment. You, as a student leader, are key to creating that environment by reminding everyone of the confidential nature of the discussions and by encouraging honesty and open-mindedness. Here are some specific suggestions to get them talking and to keep them coming back to your small group meetings!
- DO know that your role is to facilitate, or help, not to be an expert.
- DON’T be afraid of silence.
- DO try to avoid the student/teacher syndrome.
- DON’T be judgmental or critical about others’ comments.
- DO ask follow up questions.
- DO control gossips, side conversations, and discussion hogs.
- DO know when to ask and when to wait.
- DO encourage and set an example of being a good listener.
- DO watch the clock; keep the discussion focused.
- DO consistently stress the importance of confidentiality.
For more helps for student leaders, read the opening section of the student leader guides Light in the Dark, Calm in the Storm, Friends for the Journey, Gear for the Road or the Synago Training Video.
Some Really Swell Ideas for Small Groups to Occasionally Disrupt the Routine!
By Joe Hamby
Ask The Expert Night
Invite a youth minister or youth-friendly pastor to join you for an evening of tough questions and honest dialogue. (Do you believe in hell? Where is heaven? Why does the church focus on the “Don’t Do’s”? Would Jesus drive an SUV? Why is there evil and suffering in the world?)
Progressive Dinner and God-Hunt Night
You know what a progressive dinner is, don’t you? Appetizers at one house, main dish at another, dessert at still another. At the last stop, hold a “God Hunt.” Spend a few minutes reflecting on the past week, looking for times that God has worked in your life, answered a prayer or been present in a way you overlooked at the time. Listen to each person’s experience, then offer prayers of praise for these things.
Popcorn and Movie Night
Watch a socially or spiritually challenging film like Bowling for Columbine or The Sixth Sense to stir some spirited discussion and reflection. For more ideas, you may want to check out resources like Reel to Reel (ileadyouth.com), Videos That Teach, www.hollywoodjesus.com or similar resources. Or just show the movie and see where the conversation goes.
Good Samaritan Night
Uncover a need and meet it! For instance, if Crisis Assistance Clothing Ministry is buried under a mountain of clothing donations at Christmas, then take your group there to sort clothes. Other possibilities, help at homeless shelter, collect blankets or canned food for an assistance organization, sort shoeboxes at an Operation Christmas Child warehouse, drop by for some visiting at a nursing home, and so forth.
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