Tips for Leading a Small Group
- Day, Time and Space - Be realistic about your group's timing because once you start, you want to stay consistent. Whether it's once a month or every week, communicate to your group clearly and consistently with email or text reminders.
- Picking Amenities - Childcare is one amenity that may be worth arranging for your adult small group (consider hiring a teen of one of the group members if you know them to be responsible and capable). Also consider offering food (at least for the kickoff — food makes everyone feel more comfortable!) and beverages. Coffee and small groups seem to go hand-in-hand for most adults!
- Create a Safe Space - Before the group even starts, get with a trusted friend or mentor and ask some hard questions about your leadership style. If you are critical or tend to be sarcastic, it's time to nip that before your group starts. Creating a safe space in a small group starts with a leader who knows how to navigate conflict in a gently loving manner, and expects the rest of the group to do so also.
- Make Time for Life, but Focus on Learning - Many small groups get derailed by small talk, and while it's good to listen to each other's lives, it's more important to let the lesson be the priority. It will be hard for members to stay motivated if it's always just social time when they have come prepared to learn.
- Pray, Prepare and Share - Don't just stick to the material, be challenged to bring in devotional materials or supplemental aids that will enhance the learning experience. Show you are committed to your own personal growth (not just answering all the questions and checking off boxes), and your group will be inspired to do the same.
- Delegate Responsibilities - Don't be afraid to ask one person to take attendance, another person to greet people, another person to collect prayer requests, etc. Giving folks a job makes them feel valued and keeps them coming back! Mentor an apprentice leader in case you are gone. Plus, they'll be equipped to start their own group!
- Welcome Visitors - If a group gets too cloistered, then newcomers will be an unwelcome intrusion, which is never good for a small group environment. Keep that balance in check by regularly encouraging visitors and including them in the discussion.
- Add in Some Fun - Consider creating a private Facebook group for encouragement and prayer requests, having quarterly "just for fun" social events at parks or restaurants, and never be afraid to mix it up by opening with a fun icebreaker! Genius Tip: Try one of these small group icebreakers and activities.
- Make Prayer a Priority - If you are invested in this group, then the greatest power you will have is the power of God. He is the fixer, he is the healer, he is the changer. Ask him to move in all these ways in your small group.
- Start with the End in Mind - Challenge your group by asking: "When this small group is done, how do you hope your relationship with God will be different?" (If it's a couples or parenting group, you can also ask how they hope their relationship with their spouse or children will change). Take time to check in along the way by reaching out to group members individually.