THE TEENAGE BRAIN & WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO #LEADSMALL

WHAT IS LEAD SMALL?

Lead Small is a phrased coined by Orange that promotes the idea that every child, student and adult needs to be surrounded by a strategic group of mentors and peers to connect with as they grow in their faith.

So why do I think it is important?

WHAT WE’RE LEARNING ABOUT THE TEENAGE BRAIN

Dr. Daniel Siegel wrote the book Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain where he shares how the teenage brain is re-wiring itself.

Now, that’s not new information, per se. But some of his comments stood out to me because it simply confirms what we already know: all of us are wired with a need to connect.

I would add: A need to connect with God and with others.

He says:

“It’s possible that if we actually provided ways for adolescents to feel connected, or when they’re disconnected there could be support for them,” he says, then in “some of these examples, maybe not all of them, we can actually alter the course of these violent activities.”

The specific context there is helping adolescents avoid dangerous behavior, but our goal is on the other end of the spectrum. It’s to set them up as best we can to love God and love others. As Dr. Siegel has found, connection is needed. He even talks about how teenagers are wired to push away from adults:

“Nature requires — not just for us humans, but for all mammals — for the child mammal or the child human to leave the nest and establish a home away from the biological parents. So there’s a natural drive for an adolescent to push away from adults”

We know this is true. However, most of us know from experience that same drive to push away doesn’t usually apply to adults who choose to be in a student’s life and don’t have positional authority over them. As long as trust is established, students can open up and that relationship can be one where these challenges are processed in a healthy way, something Siegel calls for.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR MINISTRIES?

I believe every child from age 3 or 4 up through high school should be part of a consistent small group (with a weekly leader) in their church. Now, we can’t control how often families come, what service they come to, etc., but we can do our part. It is definitely not an easy way to “do” family ministry, but I do believe it’s the best way. The challenge is worth it.

I love that we have small groups for kids age 3 up through high school in our church, but we’re continuing to ask how we can make small groups an even bigger part of everything we do. We certainly don’t have it all figured out.

WHAT STEP DO YOU NEED TO TAKE TO BECOME MORE #LEADSMALL?

#Family #Ministry