"My name is graven on
his hands" a popular song and coming right out of the Biblical texts, it
has a powerful meaning. It speaks to being known, known by name in an
unforgettable way.
Being known is
powerful.
And one of the best ways to
start this off with your small groups is by knowing names. Some of you will
have no problem with this. You have good facial recognition, quick recall, and
groups that are manageable in size, but others of you, for a lack of any of the
reasons above or other reasons, struggle with putting a name to the faces
sitting in your circle.
As a fellow struggler - let
me share some "hacks" to learning names.
1. When at Sunday AM force
yourself to use their given names, don't slide by with "You're turn
now" or by using a generic "Hey kid! how's your week been!" (I
know this one well - use it myself when I can't find that name tag hiding under
the edge of a jacket.) These slides will allow you to skip the use of their
names. So don't slide. If you cannot remember their name - it's early enough in
the year - admit that you are struggling and ASK and then use that name like 5
times before the morning is over.
2. Make a photo journal -
there are so many ways to do this - especially if you have a smart phone. I've
used photos and captions, flash card programs like Study Blue - yes I have put
entire classes of kids into flash cards - but that allows me to go through them
several times a week until I get them down. The really cool thing is that
Middle School students will jump at the chance to give you funny faces and you
will have an instant prayer list.
3. Help everyone in your
group learn the names of the group members. This can be as easy as having them
introduce themselves by name every week and give an interesting fact, random
detail, pit & peak of the last week, etc. Or it can involve fun stuff like
the "Name Game" which involves rolled up newspapers and is sometimes
more effective with the guy groups that have an astounding amount of energy
(trust me this is a totally different game with the girls).
OK - 'nouf tips & tricks
for the week. Praying for you all as you start these journeys of getting to
know the young people in your groups!
~Mysie
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