By Joe Cyr, Faculty & Koinonia Director
Every Wednesday morning, the students at JRHS gather in small groups to enjoy food, friendship, and fellowship. It’s called Koinonia! Koinonia is a Greek word describing deep Christ-centered relationship. While they may initially be motived by the incredible breakfast snacks, once in their groups, the students experience encouragement and connection. Led by volunteer adults who are invested in the students, the groups provide a unique opportunity for spiritual and relational growth outside the traditional school activities.
Over the years, Koinonia has become a place of deep relationship and growth. Students grow in their relationship with each other and bond with their leaders. We’ve heard many stories of impactful moments as a result of these Koinonia mornings! One of the greatest testimonies to the significance of Koinonia, is alumni who appreciated the groups as students returning to be leaders themselves!
How does a typical Koinonia morning roll out? The hungry students arrive at 7:30 and eagerly grab some breakfast which usually includes some fruit and other breakfast nibbles, thanks to our parent breakfast crew. Then, they disperse to their groups (same groups meet each week for consistency). In circles of five or six, they are led by an incredible adult who not only cares for them within the group, but prays for and encourages them throughout the year.
While in their Koinonia groups, the students maximize their thirty minutes together. With great intentionality, the specific goal this school year is to build community through transparent conversation and Scriptural truth. Their conversation begins with an engaging conversation starter that’s designed to go deep quickly, to reveal how students are doing. Koinonia groups are meant to be a place of both transparency and transformation. The transformation happens as a Scripture is offered and contemplated. This verse of encouragement offers truth to minister to the students’ hearts and minds. Finally, each time includes a specific prayer focus, designed to help students trust God with their needs and needs represented in their communities, churches and world.
