Starting a Small Group

This blog is about starting a small group. The topics include defining what is meant by a “small group,” identifying characteristics of effective groups, describing the steps for starting a small group, providing an agenda for group meetings, and giving an example of a group agreement.

A small group is an intentional gathering of three to twelve people who come together on a regular basis for the common purpose of biblical community.

Effective groups meet on a regular basis, for a common purpose, facilitated by a committed leader who provides an environment for community and fellowship, spiritual formation, outreach and service. (Donahue, Leading Life-Changing Small Groups)

To begin the process: invite 2 or 3 others to help start the group. Ask one of these to be your support person or co-leader. Together, think of an affinity that would bring the group together, a thread that the individuals would have in common: e.g., age, needs, marital status, location, ministry, spiritual journey.

The next step is agree on meeting agenda topics. These could include a one-sentence description of the kind of group that you are forming, an agenda for most meetings, an approach to Bible discussion, and a group agreement for the first meeting. Now you are ready to set a date for the first meeting and personally invite possible participants.

When planning your first meeting, realize that there are three phases to most small group meetings, especially those that focus on Bible study. These are gathering, Bible Study, and caring and prayer.

(1) Gathering occurs during the first 10-15 minutes. It is a time of fellowship and welcome. This helps participants begin to reconnect.

(2) Bible study takes place in the next 20-30 minutes. Discussion questions are used for exploring content, meaning, and application.

(3) And, caring and prayer are emphasized in the last 15-20 minutes for sharing needs, celebrations, prayer requests, and actually praying.

Different kinds of questions are asked during each phase of the meeting. Following are examples of each kind.

• Gathering Questions: What topic(s) in our lives can help us connect with the Bible passage?
• Bible Study Observation Questions: What does the passage say? What are the facts?
• Bible Study Interpretation Questions: What did this passage mean to those who first received it? How are we to understand it today?
• Bible Study Application Questions: How should we (I) respond?

At the first small group meeting, it is good to develop as group agreement. Here items that are usually discussed. It is good to summarize these in writing and distribute them to group members after the meeting. Guide the group in reaching consensus on each of the following statements.

• The purpose (or purposes) of this group is (or are) ________________ (Purposes could include a combination of things such as Bible study, prayer, fellowship, spiritual conversations, service projects, accountability.)
• We will meet ____ times monthly, on ______ (day) from ____ to ____ (time) and start and close on time.
• We will meet at _____ (place) or rotate locations.
• We will agree to one or more of the following: participation: to share responsibility for the group, confidentiality: to keep personal confidences,
• accessibility: to give one another the right to contact each other in time of need,
• other areas.

This has been an overview of the process of starting a small group. We have defined small groups, described characteristics of effective groups, and given suggestions for getting started. Two resources that I especially appreciate on this topic are the following. These may be purchased by clicking on the related links or from Virtual Resource Center.

Donahue, Leading Life-Changing Small Groups.
Osborne, Sticky Church.

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