The Art of Group Talk: How to Lead Better Conversations with Teenage Guys

Leading a conversation with a small group of teenage guys isn't always easy.

Sometimes they talk way too much. Sometimes they don't talk enough. And sometimes you're pretty sure your volunteer training didn't quite prepare you for the sort of things they'd like to talk about.

Actually, if you've been a small group leader for at least five minutes, you probably already know what it's like for a small group conversation to totally bomb.

So if you've ever looked at your small group of teenage guys and wished you knew what to say, what not to say, when to speak, when to listen, how to make them talk, how to make them stop talking, then this book is for you.

The Art of Group Talk helps small group leaders like you have better conversations with teenage guys. Because, as a small group leader, you lead a conversation with them every single week. Conversations about their lives, their dreams, their friends, their imaginary friends, and their definitely-not friends. And sometimes you even manage to lead conversations about faith.

This is a book to remind you that your small group conversations (even the ones that don't go exactly as planned) really matter. And that there are a few ways to make your conversations matter even more.

With personal insight and practical advice, Jeremy Zach, Tom Shefchunas, and Brett Talley will help you discover helpful tips and strategies for leading conversations with your small group of teenage guys.

JEREMY ZACH

Jeremy Zach spent 10 years as a youth pastor in the local church. He received an undergraduate degree in communication studies from the University of Minnesota and a masters of divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. Jeremy is the father of two girls, Harlow and Aria, and two calico cats. A few things that he enjoys are hot, hot sauce, YouTube cat videos, and loud EDM music.

TOM SHEFCHUNAS

Tom Shefchunas has worked with students for over 20 years. He has been a teacher, a coach, and a high school principal. Before joining Orange as the executive director of Student Strategy, Tom served for 12 years as the multi-campus director of Transit at North Point Ministries. He has an undergraduate degree in physics and graduate degrees in both educational leadership and biblical studies. Tom is co-author ofLead Small: Five Big Ideas Every Small Group Leader Needs to Know. He and his wife, Julie, have three children.

BRETT TALLEY

Brett Talley served full-time in student ministry for 11 years before joining the Student Strategy team at Orange (ThinkOrange.com). He and his wife have three kids. He loves baseball, golf, and making amazing turkey-melt sandwiches (if he has the time and ingredients; otherwise, they're just average).