Introductory Session

Preparation

• Gather paper and pencils or copies of class or group rolls for the participants.
  
  
• Order copies of the book Developing Tomorrow's Leaders Today: Understanding Young Adults 18-24 Years (allow three weeks for delivery) or download the contents page and make copies.
  
  
• Provide name tags if the participants do not know one another.

Reflect and Practice

1. As participants arrive, ask them to write down the names of the young adults in their class or group or distribute the class or group rolls. Guide them to keep this list with them during the group discussions so that they can consider how the information is true of the individuals in their groups.
   
   
2. Ask participants to share what they would like to learn about the young adults in their groups. Refer them to the contents page. As a group, determine the order of sessions the group will discuss.
   
   
3. Encourage members of your group to read before each session the section to be discussed during the session. The group experience will be enhanced by individuals reading the section to prepare themselves for the discussion. Have a time of prayer to give each person an opportunity to make a commitment to understand the young adults in his or her group.
   
   
4. Depending on which section your group decided to discuss first, ask them to share what they know about the subject and what they want to learn during the next session. For example, if your group decided to reflect on the section "Young Adults and Learning," ask them to share a learning experience in their own lives that changed their behavior. Ask, "What do you want to learn about learning as we read this week and reflect next time?"
   
   
5. Close the session with a season of prayer concerning personal needs and concerns of participants. Remind your participants to read the section for the next session.