Group Study Guide

Session: Introduction

Preparation

• Gather paper and pencils or copies of class or group rolls for the participants.
  
  
• Order copies of the book Understanding Today’s Children: Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (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, distribute copies of the class/group rolls or ask them to write down the names of the children in their class, group, or team. Guide them to keep this list with them during the group discussions so they can consider how the information is true of the individuals in their groups.
   
   
2. Distribute copies of this resource or the contents page to the participants.
   
   
3. Ask participants to share what they would like to learn about the children in their homes and groups at church. Refer them to the contents page. As a group, determine the order of sessions the group will discuss. Also identify sessions your group wants to combine for discussion.
   
   
4. Encourage the members of your group to read before each session the article(s) to be discussed during the session. The group experience will be enhanced by individuals’ reading the article(s) to prepare themselves for the discussion. Conduct a time of prayer to give each person an opportunity to make a commitment to understand the children in his or her group.
   
   
5. Depending on which session 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 article "Children with Special Needs," ask them to share an experience they have had with a child with special needs. Ask, "What do you want to learn about these special needs as we read this week and reflect next time?"
   
   
6. Close the session with prayer concerning personal needs and concerns of participants. Remind your participants to read the article(s) for the next session.