Making a Difference: A Bible Plan for Leaders in Kids’ MinistrySample

You Lead Small and Show Up Big

You’ve spent the last three days exploring important truths about yourself, truths about how God sees you which were modeled perfectly by the life of Jesus.

You can make a difference. You can trust God. You are who Jesus says you are.

These truths are foundational, not just for your faith, but for the faith of the kids you’ve been trusted to lead each week. With that foundation in place, let’s wrap up this Bible Plan by talking about two practical ways you can lead your kids the way Jesus led His disciples: leading small and showing up big.

Leading small simply means you’re focused primarily on developing the kids in your small group. Jesus demonstrated this value in His ministry. While He had big public moments, many of His most significant revelations were discussed with a small group of disciples. The crowds saw Jesus as a gifted speaker and miracle worker, but His disciples truly knew Him. To them, He was a friend and mentor. That’s who you can be for your group.

Before Jesus offered wisdom, He offered His few a place of safety where they could grow and ask questions without fear or shame. You can create this space for your group. Help them know that you’re there for them and that your group is a safe place to ask big questions—because our God is a safe place, too.

And when you show up for your group, show up big. This means showing up consistently, ready to be present and attentive to what’s going on in the lives of your few. God doesn’t expect you to be a perfect leader, but He does want you to be a present one. When you show up consistently, like Jesus did in the lives of His disciples, you show your kids what it looks like to be part of a committed faith community. You show them that they can depend on God and lean on His people.

But you can’t show up big, ready to pour yourself out for your group, if you’re not taking time to fill your cup during the week. Your faith has to be personal and you must nurture it when you’re away from your group. Reading Scripture, praying, worshiping, and building relationships with trusted friends are all ways that Jesus recharged on a regular basis. It’s important you do the same. And don’t underestimate the importance of rest, either. In the Gospels, we see Jesus going away to rest often. If you want to make a difference in the lives of your group for the long haul, you need to prioritize rest, too. Read: Get plenty of sleep and don’t forget to take a vacation every now and then.

Let’s wrap up with this thought.

Your work as a leader in kids’ ministry is absolutely essential, but remember, it’s not entirely up to you. Don’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Do what you can every week, and trust the rest to God. That’s what Jesus did. He invested three gritty, powerful, meaningful years in the lives of His 12, in one small part of their country. And in turn, those 12 went out and influenced the entire world. You never know the impact your influence will have.

So, keep showing up, keep being yourself, and keep sharing Jesus one kid at a time. You can make a difference. You can trust God. And you are who Jesus says you are.

And don’t forget: You were made for this.

Pray This: Father God, thank You for trusting me to lead the next generation. Thank You for equipping me with all that I need. Jesus, with Your help, I believe that I was made for this, that I can make a difference, that I can trust You, and that I am who You say I am. Help me to lead small and show up big. I love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Do This: As you read the Scripture passages today, ask God to show you one to focus on this week. When you see your group again, share with them how this verse shaped your perspective each day.

Want to read more about leading small? Check out this incredible Bible Plan: Lead Like Jesus: Principles for Small Group Leaders