Season 02 Episode 06- Maggie Johnson Talks Small Groups

Cliff and Michelle talk with Maggie Johnson, Director of Youth at Shallowford Presbyterian Church about Small Groups




Top 5 Go to Program Ideas

5) Backwards Book Club

Choose a Book. When youth arrive at youth group, they get the book and a few highlighters. During youth group, go through a few key stories, passages and let them highlight, talk about the book. It is “backwards” because then they can take the book home and have it on their shelf.

Favorites: Anne Lamott, Help, Thanks, Wow.


4) LIFE-SKILLS

Cooking, changing a tire, etiquette. Learn some skills you need for life. Make a devotion out of feasting together, considering who the feeding of the 5000 and what it means when Jesus says- you feed them. Look at the faith journey and learn to change a tire. What are the lessons from the road.


3) Grocery Store Challenge

Meet at a grocery store, take the church van. Everyone brings $5 and combine your funds to buy for your local food bank. Pair up youth and give them a situation. Older couple with grandchild but the child eats breakfast and lunch at school. They need a few meals and snacks.

Discussion: What was hard? What would it be like to buy for your family on a limited budget? What do people need when we donate to our local food bank? Who might be food insecure in your town?


2) Morality Auction

Supplies: Play money. Give out $1000 to each person. List on the board all things up for auction: Great hair day forever, cure cancer, write a novel, play in a major league game, Sing back-up for your favorite artist, Unlimited knowledge, Dinner with Jesus etc. Add fun things and serious.

Discussion: What do your purchases say about you? This could be part of a 10 commandment series, considering what we worship.


1) Broken Pottery Crosses or Bowls made - Same concept 3 ways

Tiny clay pots. Put one in a brown paper bag and Pottery pieces put on small wooden cross

Beautiful Bowl dropped once, glued back and then gold paint painted over the crease.

Discussion: God takes the broken pieces of our lives and makes them new and beautiful. This is resurrection hope in which we stand.

Other Ideas:

Birthday Party for Everyone, play birthday games, celebrate each other and end with shout-out’s for each other.

Let us become little like children: PJ night, cereal bar, bring stuffed animals and have a contest. Read children’s stories.


This Podcast is made possible through a generous grant from the APCE Edowment Ministry Team. Visit apcenet.org to register for the next national event!