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(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About Leading a Small Group

How to Study the Bible With Your Small Group

God designed people to grow in their faith and follow Him in the context of a community. A small group, community group or Bible study is a chance to experience that firsthand.

Are you trusting the Lord and taking a step of faith to lead a group or study? Way to go! We want to help.

What you are doing matters. Lives change when you study God’s Word together.

Sign up for our weekly small group leader tips, and look through all the resources below to find answers to your questions. They’ll help you launch and lead a great small group.

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Here are some helpful tools for creating a life-changing group:

Creating Community

Starting or going to a small group for the first time can feel awkward, but as the leader, you set the tone for your group.

If you are open and honest, over time, other people will be also. If you are committed and intentional, then eventually other people will be too.

Do you need help with:

Lead a Group That Matters

First, we encourage you to pray. Pray for the people in your group. Ask God for wisdom about how to lead, what the goal of your group is, how to spend your time together and what to study.

Learn how to lead a group that:

  • Is gospel-centered.
    Life-changing small group environments are less about how-tos and more about experiencing Jesus. They are not focused on building head knowledge but on changing both hearts and minds. These communities not only equip people to serve others but also expose sin and call people to adore Christ. Christ-centered communities transform lives from the inside out.

  • Reaches out.
    Many small groups study the Bible and provide strength and encouragement for their members. But sadly, many groups never turn the corner from “getting” to “giving.” Learn more about how to go beyond the group to reach other people.

  • Has a purpose.
    Leading a small group takes planning. Before you begin your group, ask: Why am I leading this group? Where do I want it to go? How do I plan to get there? Check out this article to help you prepare for your study.

The How-Tos of a Small Group Meeting

You don’t have to have all the answers to lead a group. God is faithful when you show up, plan and organize your group’s meeting time.

  • “Crucial Elements of a Small Group.”
    Learn about the five elements that characterize a thriving small group: a Christ-centered focus, community, each person richly experiencing Christ, progressive life-change and outward impact.

  • “Beginning and Leading a Small Group.”
    Leading a small group gives you the opportunity to invest in peoples’ lives and help them grow in their faith. This series of articles will guide you through the essentials for starting a small group Bible study.

  • “10 Things You Need to Know for a Successful First Group Meeting.”
    Preparing the first small group meeting is a crucial task for any small group leader. Group members are often unfamiliar with each other, and you want to help everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Here are 10 ideas to help you start well.

  • “Preparing the Small Group Lesson.”
    Small groups are designed to help people grow spiritually, so interacting with God’s Word through a Bible study or lesson is essential. Even if you are using pre-written content, it is important to prepare for the lesson in advance.

  • A small group lesson template.
    Have you ever wanted to study a passage of the Bible with your small group but didn’t know how to prepare a small group lesson on your own? The goal of this guide is to give you a simple way to prepare a lesson that can lead to true repentance and heart-change.

Let’s Talk

Some of your biggest roles as a leader are to guide the discussion, ask questions and handle conflict or questions that come up. Make sure you listen and create space for the group to talk; avoid a monologue.

What to Do When ...

Someone who is new to or exploring faith joins your group. Creating an environment where Christians and non-Christians can come to study the Bible and care for one another can be very beneficial to everyone involved.

Other Helpful Tools