Our new facility will empower a new model. As we move into the new building, we will move from a “classroom” model (where kids essentially stay in a singular classroom for the entire service) to a “Large Group/Small Group” model (where kids spend most of their time in a specific small group, but travel to a theater for a larger worship experience).
The main benefits of this model are as follows:
- Most volunteers serve in highly relational small group roles. They serve with the same group of kids every week and are even encouraged to move up with their group each school year to reinforce meaningful relationships.
- Volunteers with a gift for teaching, leading worship, and being crazy serve on the Large Group team where their gifts impact all the kids. A strong large group experience impacts every kid.
- Moving back and forth the different environments with highly interactive experiences in large group keeps kids engaged for the entire hour. Kids are less likely to get bored and disconnect.
LARGE GROUP
Large group is fun and exciting. It engages all of the senses, which provide interesting ways to learn/experience biblical content. Large group can create memorable experiences, leaving kids saying, “WOW!” Large group is high energy and invitational – it creates a great first impression. Large group also has the unique ability to get everyone on the same page very quickly.
SMALL GROUP
Small group is personal. Kids want to have fun (which they can in small group as well), but they also want friends. Biblical truth taught from the stage is important, but breaking down the truth for each kid and helping them apply it is vastly more important. The true power of a small group is the relational connection it offers. It becomes the place where kids stay connected and belong.
ELEMENTARY SCHEDULE
SMALL GROUP | 10 Minutes
Social: Providing Time for Fun Interaction
LARGE GROUP | 25 Minutes
STORY: Communicating God’s Truth in Engaging Ways
WORSHIP: Inviting People to Respond to God
SMALL GROUP | 30 Minutes
GROUPS: Creating a Safe Place to Connect
PRESCHOOL SCHEDULE
SMALL GROUP | 15 Minutes
Social: Providing Time for Fun Interaction
LARGE GROUP | 20 Minutes
STORY: Communicating God’s Truth in Engaging Ways
WORSHIP: Inviting People to Respond to God
SMALL GROUP | 30 Minutes
GROUPS: Creating a Safe Place to Connect
ELEMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS
Everyone has to make this mental shift. We are moving AWAY from CLASSROOMS and toward SMALL GROUPS. Instead of having a 30×40 room with 15-20 crazy kids, you’ll have a small group of 8-12 kids (ideally – sometimes they get a little bigger). Some of our new rooms might have more than one small group. Typically, we designate a small group with a circular rug. Your small group will meet in the same room on the same carpet circle every weekend. You and your group all sit on the floor around your carpet circle (we’ll provide alternate seating options for our leaders who can’t sit on the floor for 20 minutes). See the facility map to see where your group is meeting.
PRESCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS
Say these words with me: Clean and Simple. These two words will characterize our new preschool environments. Often, preschool environments can get cluttered with distracting toys and activities. Our new rooms will have specific toys and activities for church’s first and last ten minutes. The toys will be put away for the rest of the time, and leaders will engage kids in fun activities to help them learn and grow. During the middle of the service, all preschool kids will visit the Large Group, where they will worship and learn the day’s Bible Story.
PATIENCE IS KEY
This transition is a massive shift for RidgeKidz. It will have its bumps and frustrations. However, each week will improve as we adjust to the new model, and team members will improve each week. We will make many adjustments each week based on what we learn. Please share feedback – we’re all in this together!