Innovation at Dalat #10 Small Groups

“We’re connected but alone.” This is how MIT professor Sherry Turkle describes the state of most people and their relationships in our world today.  In her well-known TED Talk, Turkle describes the alarming shift in human relationships that has come through the growth of technology.  She describes how more and more young people, as well as adults, no longer feel comfortable talking in person with others.  People relate to each other more and more through virtual platforms, which can create a feeling of connection but in reality, does not substitute for humans’ innate need for meaningful human connection.  The result is that the number of people reporting loneliness and isolation continues to increase, along with resulting maladies like depression and anxiety. 

In a world that is slowly becoming devoid of face to face relationships, Dalat has chosen to innovate by reintroducing the lost art of having face to face conversations.  As part of our high school Bible program, students in high school Bible classes spend one day a week with a small group led by a mentor-adult.  After a snack and some light conversation about how the week is going, small groups discuss their thoughts about some of life’s deeper questions.  Small groups also spent the service day together and were able to work as a team to impact our community. 

So why take class time to invest in a small group program?  Learning to talk and listen are skills that have to be developed; they do not come naturally for everyone and require a safe space for growth.  Though this simple skill of learning to work in groups and relate to others might have been a normal part of the world a few decades ago, this is not a skill that people are developing as much anymore.  Beyond learning conversation skills, being part of a small group is an opportunity for our students to experience community and deeper relationships, as well as give them a safe place to talk about whatever they are facing.  As a significant part of Dalat’s Christian tradition, these are values that we hold dear.  Small groups are one way we prioritize these things in a world that is increasingly connected but alone.