Small Group Information
1. Small groups have four phases.
The phases are: Heads Up, Sign Up, Show Up, and Wrap Up. You may want to launch just one session if you are beginning your small group ministry. This provides time to make modifications before launching the second session. This is especially important, because as the ministry gains momentum, you may find yourself beginning phases 1 and 2 before the completion of stages 3 and 4 from a previous session.
Phase 1: Heads Up.
Heads Up is for those interested in serving as leaders or hosts. It lasts for two weeks (three Sundays). It targets those interested in serving as small group leaders and hosts.
The promotion includes a flyer, and consists of interviews with leaders and hosts from previous sessions. It should spotlight a few positive reasons for becoming a leader or host; such as it's fun, easy, and grows your faith. People can sign up as both leaders and hosts.
Men lead men’s and coed groups. Women lead women’s groups. The promotion goes out over all communication channels; weekly services, bulletin, mail, social media, email, website, etc. It invites prospective leaders and hosts to take the one hour training.
The training consists of the One Hour Small Group Leader Training and the One Hour Small Group Host Training. It is available in various formats: written, live, and online.
Leaders and hosts self-declare. They indicate their availability based on agreement with the information in the one-hour training. The Small Group Ministry leader is responsible for confirming responses from prospective Hosts and Leaders and organizing them so they are in place for the next phase.
It would be necessary for the small group ministry leader to host and lead the first generation since the One Hour Leader and Host training require participation in a previous session of small groups. Afterwards, the following generations of small groups serve as the training ground for future leaders and hosts.
The promotion includes a flyer, and consists of interviews with leaders and hosts from previous sessions. It should spotlight a few positive reasons for becoming a leader or host; such as it's fun, easy, and grows your faith. People can sign up as both leaders and hosts.
Men lead men’s and coed groups. Women lead women’s groups. The promotion goes out over all communication channels; weekly services, bulletin, mail, social media, email, website, etc. It invites prospective leaders and hosts to take the one hour training.
The training consists of the One Hour Small Group Leader Training and the One Hour Small Group Host Training. It is available in various formats: written, live, and online.
Leaders and hosts self-declare. They indicate their availability based on agreement with the information in the one-hour training. The Small Group Ministry leader is responsible for confirming responses from prospective Hosts and Leaders and organizing them so they are in place for the next phase.
It would be necessary for the small group ministry leader to host and lead the first generation since the One Hour Leader and Host training require participation in a previous session of small groups. Afterwards, the following generations of small groups serve as the training ground for future leaders and hosts.
Resources
Phase 2: Sign Up.

Sign Up is for those who want to attend a small group. It lasts for two weeks (three Sundays) and begins about one month before the start of the session. It consists of a church-wide promotion for small groups targeting those who desire to attend.
This promotion should spotlight three positive reasons for attending a small group. Such as you meet new friends, learn more about the Bible and grow in your faith.
People can sign up for coed, male, or female groups. Again, the sign-up period lasts two weeks (three Sundays) and should be via devices if possible.
The promotion goes out over all communication channels: weekly services, social media, bulletin, mail, email, website, etc. It invites people to sign up for a small group. It contains all the information people need to make a decision; start and end dates, day, times, locations, FAQ (no childcare, etc.), the make-up of the groups (men, women, coed), how to sign up, reasons for joining, etc.
Make sure to promote small groups in a way that is attractive. Mention that it's a fun way to make new friends, great to way to grow in your faith, and an enjoyable way to learn more about the Bible. Be positive.
Don't describe small groups in an uncomfortable way. For instance, don't use phrases like; it's a place to share deep needs, a secure setting to be vulnerable, or a way to experience what it means to be real. It will drive away most of the men and anyone else not looking for Christian therapy. Keep it winsome. Make it enjoyable.
Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis. People need to know that there may not be enough space for everyone. If more people sign up than there are spaces available, the leadership may want to put the word out for more people to sign up as leaders and hosts. If there are more leaders and hosts than sign-ups, then he can enfold them into existing groups.
Sign-ups can be done manually (response cards) or electronically (devices, website, kiosks). If done manually, provide first, second, and third choices. Electronic sign-ups are best as they can provide real-time feedback about group openings. Look at how other Churches handle sign-ups to stay current. Do what your situation dictates, and resources allow. Use IT, staff, a gifted layperson, or a third party app to create an online sign-up process.
Be sure to confirm each sign-up, so there is a firm commitment to attend. Do this via text, email, or phone. Confirmations are essential because not everyone who signs up will show up.
As momentum builds, a church may want to move to a more advanced sign-up process like the one used by North Coast Church or Saddleback.
This promotion should spotlight three positive reasons for attending a small group. Such as you meet new friends, learn more about the Bible and grow in your faith.
People can sign up for coed, male, or female groups. Again, the sign-up period lasts two weeks (three Sundays) and should be via devices if possible.
The promotion goes out over all communication channels: weekly services, social media, bulletin, mail, email, website, etc. It invites people to sign up for a small group. It contains all the information people need to make a decision; start and end dates, day, times, locations, FAQ (no childcare, etc.), the make-up of the groups (men, women, coed), how to sign up, reasons for joining, etc.
Make sure to promote small groups in a way that is attractive. Mention that it's a fun way to make new friends, great to way to grow in your faith, and an enjoyable way to learn more about the Bible. Be positive.
Don't describe small groups in an uncomfortable way. For instance, don't use phrases like; it's a place to share deep needs, a secure setting to be vulnerable, or a way to experience what it means to be real. It will drive away most of the men and anyone else not looking for Christian therapy. Keep it winsome. Make it enjoyable.
Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis. People need to know that there may not be enough space for everyone. If more people sign up than there are spaces available, the leadership may want to put the word out for more people to sign up as leaders and hosts. If there are more leaders and hosts than sign-ups, then he can enfold them into existing groups.
Sign-ups can be done manually (response cards) or electronically (devices, website, kiosks). If done manually, provide first, second, and third choices. Electronic sign-ups are best as they can provide real-time feedback about group openings. Look at how other Churches handle sign-ups to stay current. Do what your situation dictates, and resources allow. Use IT, staff, a gifted layperson, or a third party app to create an online sign-up process.
Be sure to confirm each sign-up, so there is a firm commitment to attend. Do this via text, email, or phone. Confirmations are essential because not everyone who signs up will show up.
As momentum builds, a church may want to move to a more advanced sign-up process like the one used by North Coast Church or Saddleback.
Resource
Phase 3: Show Up.

Show Up is when people participate in a small group session. It is also when the Head Coach does the coaching. In a word, coaching is encouragement. There are three ways to encourage: in person, situationally and device (emial/text/phone call).
Personal coaching involves meeting with a leader to express thanks and see if there are any needs to address.
Situational coaching may result from initiating contact with a group leader or the other way around. Regardless, the Coach should be ready to assist as needed. It may involve prayer, counsel, reviewing the information on this page, or even attending a group. Coaches do whatever it takes to help solve a problem or effectively address an issue.
Device coaching also consists of sending out a weekly email/texts/tweets, etc. to the leaders and hosts each week. Suggested topics are listed below.
Personal coaching involves meeting with a leader to express thanks and see if there are any needs to address.
Situational coaching may result from initiating contact with a group leader or the other way around. Regardless, the Coach should be ready to assist as needed. It may involve prayer, counsel, reviewing the information on this page, or even attending a group. Coaches do whatever it takes to help solve a problem or effectively address an issue.
Device coaching also consists of sending out a weekly email/texts/tweets, etc. to the leaders and hosts each week. Suggested topics are listed below.
- Week 1. Welcome. Inform leaders you are praying for them and available to them. Share contact information. Remind them to review the bold print on Circles for helpful reminders.
- Week 2. Remind to look for potential leaders and how to deal with the three talkers.
- Week 3. Remind about focused prayer, sharing a meal as a group, and Wrap Up.
- Week 4: Remind of Wrap-Up. Get an RSVP.
- Week 5: Remind them of the two key items during week 5 debrief: Next Step and feedback. Next Step is where the group members decide what they want to do. Some may decide to drop out, some to continue, some may want to lead a Circle, or focus on global missions (do a POD).
Phase 4: Wrap Up.

Wrap Up is a free meal for leaders, hosts, and their spouses. It takes place in a home, church or restaurant the week following the last grow group meeting. There is no childcare. The main purpose of Wrap Up is to express thanks to those who served as hosts and leader.
The second purpose is to receive the answers to questions about the previous session. Discussion about the questions are done by each table. One person at the table should record the answers and email them to the Small Group Leader.
The questions might revolve around the following topics:
The second purpose is to receive the answers to questions about the previous session. Discussion about the questions are done by each table. One person at the table should record the answers and email them to the Small Group Leader.
The questions might revolve around the following topics:
- Celebration: What are your God stories from this last session? In other words, where did you see evidence of God's presence? Think about all the elements of each meeting: prayer, Bible discussion, meal, mingle time, coaching, etc.
- Recommendation: Where do we need to make changes? What are some ways to improve? What was challenging about last session?
- Referrals: Who do suggest we contact about leading a group?
- What else do you want to share? What other questions do you wish we asked? What are your answers?
2. Small Groups are critical.
The Small group setting is unlike the large group venue. While celebration services serve a vital purpose, small groups provide the personalized love and instruction necessary for spiritual maturity. Author Dallas Willard notes, "We must flatly say that one of the greatest contemporary barriers to meaningful spiritual formation into Christlikeness is overconfidence in the spiritual efficacy of regular church services. They are vital. They are not enough. It is that simple."
Small groups provide an excellent learning environment because they are conversation-driven. They include back and forth dialogue. They promote questions and provide answers, thereby creating space for discussion and sharing. Talking is welcomed; lecture is taboo. All these elements are fertile soul for understanding the gospel and spiritual maturity.
Small groups provide an excellent learning environment because they are conversation-driven. They include back and forth dialogue. They promote questions and provide answers, thereby creating space for discussion and sharing. Talking is welcomed; lecture is taboo. All these elements are fertile soul for understanding the gospel and spiritual maturity.
3. Small groups are strategic.
Small groups are an essential stepping stone on the pathway of spiritual growth. The healing, understanding, and maturity that takes place in small groups is not duplicated elsewhere. Therefore, the ministry is well led, generously resourced, and zealously protected.
Good leadership consists of designating an effective person as the leader of small groups, and supplying that person with excellent support personnel. The leader of small groups is either paid staff or a gifted lay person.
Resourcing the small group ministry includes providing adequate funding, sufficient workspace, and ongoing training.
Zealous protection means saying no to other programs, good as they may be, that would weaken the process, diminish participation, or compete with the outcome of small groups. As author David Platt says, "We must be willing to sacrifice the good things in the church in order to experience the great things of God."
Good leadership consists of designating an effective person as the leader of small groups, and supplying that person with excellent support personnel. The leader of small groups is either paid staff or a gifted lay person.
Resourcing the small group ministry includes providing adequate funding, sufficient workspace, and ongoing training.
Zealous protection means saying no to other programs, good as they may be, that would weaken the process, diminish participation, or compete with the outcome of small groups. As author David Platt says, "We must be willing to sacrifice the good things in the church in order to experience the great things of God."
4. Small groups are transforming.
They are transforming because they contain the two critical elements of transformation— love, and truth. Transforming groups express love and explain truth.
Grant Howard offers this timeless definition of love, “Love takes the initiative, acts sacrificially, to meet needs." The reason it is timeless because it's lifted from John 3:16. God so loved the world (love takes the initiative) that he gave his one and only Son (acts sacrificially) that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (to meet needs). Using Howard's definition of love is an excellent way to measure love in small groups. Author Dan Spader puts it this way, "The degree to which we are successful in creating a loving environment is the degree to which we will be effective in changing lives for Jesus Christ."
Discussing truth encompasses studying the Bible because it is truth (John 17:17b). It is essential to provide Bible study tools that are both transformative but also transferable. Simple trumps complex every time.
Grant Howard offers this timeless definition of love, “Love takes the initiative, acts sacrificially, to meet needs." The reason it is timeless because it's lifted from John 3:16. God so loved the world (love takes the initiative) that he gave his one and only Son (acts sacrificially) that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (to meet needs). Using Howard's definition of love is an excellent way to measure love in small groups. Author Dan Spader puts it this way, "The degree to which we are successful in creating a loving environment is the degree to which we will be effective in changing lives for Jesus Christ."
Discussing truth encompasses studying the Bible because it is truth (John 17:17b). It is essential to provide Bible study tools that are both transformative but also transferable. Simple trumps complex every time.
5. Small groups are varied.
They differ in size, location, and make-up. Grow groups come in three sizes (small, medium, and large). The ideal size is two to twelve people. If the group consists of more than twelve people, the personal discussion become difficult and multiple conversations take place at the same time.
Medium-sized small groups consist of more than twelve. It breaks into smaller groups during the meeting. Large groups include a large number of people arranged into several breakout groups. For instance, a group of 100 made up of several round tables of eight to ten each.
Small groups vary by location. The options are endless and may include a home, place of work, campus, an eatery, church, or other location. Tradition, resources, and creativity determine the location. They can also vary by time—they can meet in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Small groups are unique in make-up. Some form around a shared interest, some around vocation, some around the age or stage of life, others are open to anyone. There are pros and cons to all approaches. However, groups open to any age have the added benefit of cross-pollination that occurs when the mature share with the less knowledgeable. There is no one make-up that will meet all needs.
Medium-sized small groups consist of more than twelve. It breaks into smaller groups during the meeting. Large groups include a large number of people arranged into several breakout groups. For instance, a group of 100 made up of several round tables of eight to ten each.
Small groups vary by location. The options are endless and may include a home, place of work, campus, an eatery, church, or other location. Tradition, resources, and creativity determine the location. They can also vary by time—they can meet in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Small groups are unique in make-up. Some form around a shared interest, some around vocation, some around the age or stage of life, others are open to anyone. There are pros and cons to all approaches. However, groups open to any age have the added benefit of cross-pollination that occurs when the mature share with the less knowledgeable. There is no one make-up that will meet all needs.
6. Small groups are transitory.
A healthy small group ministry has both front and back doors. The front door is the entry point. It may be organic (find your own group) or structured (sign up), or something in-between. The backdoor is the exit point (more about that below).
The expectation of moving to small groups should be encouraged, not pushed. People should be made aware of the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead them into small groups. Otherwise, some will migrate to a small group out of duty rather than readiness. The truth is, some people function well in the large group setting, but not in the small group environment. They just don't possess the emotional depth, relational development or spiritual maturity to do life in close proximity with others.
There is also the expectation that people migrate FROM small groups to start their own small group. This is a big deal. Most churches don't place a back door in their small group ministry paradigm. Hence, a classic unhealthy situation occurs. It is not uncommon for people to reside in a small group for years, or even decades. These groups become ingrown; reproduction stops. Attending these groups is like being an outsider to a family reunion. Remember, the goal is not just maturity, its multiplication.
The back door consist of the following elements; an easy exist process and a simple training pathway. The exit process occurs as the session ends and people opt out of continuing on with their present group. This is one of the reasons it's important to include ends dates to the small group meeting schedule.
The training pathway occurs organically as well as organizationally. Organic training occurs as people apply what they learned and start their own groups. This should be affirmed, encourage and celebrated.
Organizational training occurs as they take the One Hour Leader Training and declare themselves available to lead, to the leadership of the small group ministry. Organic growth is just as important as organizational growth.
Regardless of how people migrate, it should be the norm for people to pass through small groups rather than permanently reside in them.
The expectation of moving to small groups should be encouraged, not pushed. People should be made aware of the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead them into small groups. Otherwise, some will migrate to a small group out of duty rather than readiness. The truth is, some people function well in the large group setting, but not in the small group environment. They just don't possess the emotional depth, relational development or spiritual maturity to do life in close proximity with others.
There is also the expectation that people migrate FROM small groups to start their own small group. This is a big deal. Most churches don't place a back door in their small group ministry paradigm. Hence, a classic unhealthy situation occurs. It is not uncommon for people to reside in a small group for years, or even decades. These groups become ingrown; reproduction stops. Attending these groups is like being an outsider to a family reunion. Remember, the goal is not just maturity, its multiplication.
The back door consist of the following elements; an easy exist process and a simple training pathway. The exit process occurs as the session ends and people opt out of continuing on with their present group. This is one of the reasons it's important to include ends dates to the small group meeting schedule.
The training pathway occurs organically as well as organizationally. Organic training occurs as people apply what they learned and start their own groups. This should be affirmed, encourage and celebrated.
Organizational training occurs as they take the One Hour Leader Training and declare themselves available to lead, to the leadership of the small group ministry. Organic growth is just as important as organizational growth.
Regardless of how people migrate, it should be the norm for people to pass through small groups rather than permanently reside in them.
7. Small groups are uniquely designed.
Healthy small groups have the following distinct characteristics:
They are short-lasting, have hard start and end dates, are closed, and launch simultaneously. The duration is five weeks. The short length is beneficial for first-timers not accustomed to weekly commitments. It's viewed as doable by anyone. People can sign up for as many five week sessions as they like. An extended stay is easily possible.
They have hard start and end dates. This has built-in advantages. They allow people to plan so they can make the necessary arrangements (such as child care) that maximize attendance. Announcing them well ahead of time also creates momentum and generates excitement.
Many Churches hold several sessions a year. Often, they follow the school year to make it family-friendly. They sessions in the fall, winter, spring and summer.
Small groups close after each session begins. This may seem counterintuitive, but closing the group has advantages. It allows the group to build trust and transparency with each other. These are essential elements of spiritual maturity and a healthy community. It also prevents the group from growing to a size that makes meaningful conversation difficult. Remember, groups start several times a year, so the most anyone misses out is only a few weeks.
A specific group may choose to continue with the same participants. They simply exclude themselves from the sign-up process for the upcoming session. They may also decide to continue with some of the group and advertise just a few openings.
Small groups that don't meet in a home, or out of the way location, may want to keep their status open to newcomers. It can be awkward to host a closed group in a public setting. As mentioned above, the tradeoff for keeping the group open is a lack of trust and transparency, as well as possible numerical growth that makes conversation challenging.
Small group participants may choose to exercise “dual citizenship” by attending both a small group and a Go team.
Launch the small groups simultaneously. The same church-wide schedule has several benefits. It makes the ministry easier to administrate, creates the same congregational rhythm, and generates church-wide excitement.
They are short-lasting, have hard start and end dates, are closed, and launch simultaneously. The duration is five weeks. The short length is beneficial for first-timers not accustomed to weekly commitments. It's viewed as doable by anyone. People can sign up for as many five week sessions as they like. An extended stay is easily possible.
They have hard start and end dates. This has built-in advantages. They allow people to plan so they can make the necessary arrangements (such as child care) that maximize attendance. Announcing them well ahead of time also creates momentum and generates excitement.
Many Churches hold several sessions a year. Often, they follow the school year to make it family-friendly. They sessions in the fall, winter, spring and summer.
Small groups close after each session begins. This may seem counterintuitive, but closing the group has advantages. It allows the group to build trust and transparency with each other. These are essential elements of spiritual maturity and a healthy community. It also prevents the group from growing to a size that makes meaningful conversation difficult. Remember, groups start several times a year, so the most anyone misses out is only a few weeks.
A specific group may choose to continue with the same participants. They simply exclude themselves from the sign-up process for the upcoming session. They may also decide to continue with some of the group and advertise just a few openings.
Small groups that don't meet in a home, or out of the way location, may want to keep their status open to newcomers. It can be awkward to host a closed group in a public setting. As mentioned above, the tradeoff for keeping the group open is a lack of trust and transparency, as well as possible numerical growth that makes conversation challenging.
Small group participants may choose to exercise “dual citizenship” by attending both a small group and a Go team.
Launch the small groups simultaneously. The same church-wide schedule has several benefits. It makes the ministry easier to administrate, creates the same congregational rhythm, and generates church-wide excitement.
8. Small groups rely on proven Bible Study tools.
Grow groups use tools that are Bible-centered, effective, and highly transferable. Three such resources are: The advantages of using these type of studies is multifold.
Many churches default to using curriculum or reviewing the previous sermon as the content for small groups. Yet, each has its weak points.
The following are some reasons to consider not using a sermon review as content.
- They are transforming because they consist of the actual study of Scripture rather than a separate book about Scripture. The participants interact directly with the word of God.
- They mature the participants. Both leaders and followers alike grow from developing and answering the probing why questions, and discussing the how application questions.
- They are guaranteed to be relevant because the participants create the content of the study.
- They are simple to use; anyone can lead them.
- These studies travel naturally outside the group. It's common for participants to start their own studies using them.
- They are effective up and down the generational ladder; they work with all age groups. They also work cross-culturally by functioning effectively in all ethnic settings.
Many churches default to using curriculum or reviewing the previous sermon as the content for small groups. Yet, each has its weak points.
- Curriculum distribution (even paid streaming material) can generate logistical issues that hamper growth.
- Curriculum removes the maturity that occurs when the participants develop ownership of the discussion process.
- Curriculum runs the risk of missing the mark with the content because it's developed by those outside the group.
- Curriculum gives the impression that content development is for experts. It sends a "leave this to the professionals" message that is counter intuitive to Scripture.
The following are some reasons to consider not using a sermon review as content.
- Attendance takes a dip when a group member misses a weekly sermon. Participants are less likely to show up to a small group meeting if they had not heard that week's message. This is true regardless of the availability of viewable recordings, or message summaries at the beginning of the meeting. If anything more is required than just showing up, it's viewed as "homework." This always reduces attendance.
- There is no need for someone to develop and distribute sermon-based questions.
- Thorough teaching from the pulpit does not leave people needing a deeper dive into a passage.
- Sermon review can easily become a sermon critique. Transformation and application are supplanted by opinion and assessment.
9. The small group ministry is well led.
The lead person for the small group ministry is a mission-critical position. The health of the overall ministry is determined by this person. A good hire here and the small group ministry can explode. A bad hire, and it can implode.
Make sure to secure this person BEFORE launching the ministry. Locate this person by observation or referral, not open enlistment. This person should have previous, effective small-group experience.
The lead person reports to the Sr. Pastor, or someone he designates. He also leads a small group while leading the overall ministry.
Initially, this person serves as the overall leader and head coach. As the number of Grow groups increase, this person will be responsible for recruiting, training, managing, and encouraging a Head Coach, and eventually, assistant coaches. These are people who have risen through the ranks as small group attenders, then leaders. They are chosen based on referrals at Debrief (see below).
Make sure to secure this person BEFORE launching the ministry. Locate this person by observation or referral, not open enlistment. This person should have previous, effective small-group experience.
The lead person reports to the Sr. Pastor, or someone he designates. He also leads a small group while leading the overall ministry.
Initially, this person serves as the overall leader and head coach. As the number of Grow groups increase, this person will be responsible for recruiting, training, managing, and encouraging a Head Coach, and eventually, assistant coaches. These are people who have risen through the ranks as small group attenders, then leaders. They are chosen based on referrals at Debrief (see below).
Resource.
- Watch Discovery Bible Study Review (7:58)