How to Launch and Lead a Small Group

Think about how you came to follow Jesus and grow in your faith. You are who you are today because someone invested in you —  a parent, friend, pastor or small group leader.

Leading a small group gives you the opportunity to make that same impact in someone else’s life.

Jump to a section:

• What does it take to be a small group leader?

• The critical role of prayer

• Choosing the right content

• Communicate important details

• Your small group can lead people to Jesus

• Countdown to group launch

What does it take to be a small group leader?

The role of a small group leader is to help others learn about Jesus and grow closer to him — but you don’t need to have all the answers. Being honest about what you don’t know encourages vulnerability and shows others that they don’t have to have all the answers either. God is more interested in your faithfulness to trust him in your leadership.

The critical role of prayer

Only God can bring the people to your small group, develop their character and create deep, transformational relationships. This is what makes prayer essential to your leadership. Consider these prayer prompts as you prepare to lead your small group:

• Pray for the people God will lead to your group, ask him to prepare their hearts to receive his Word.

• Ask God to lead your planning.

• Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you and your meeting space.

Choosing the right content

Look for content that is accessible to those in your group. It’s helpful to choose a topic you can discuss for several meetings, like a theme in Scripture or a book of the Bible.

If you are using questions based on weekly sermons or a book, make sure that anyone can participate in the discussion — whether they’re new or returning members. Provide a summary at the beginning before the discussion and explain any quotes or references throughout the study.

If you invite people who aren’t Christians to join your group, be clear about what material and topics you will be discussing.

As you gather with your group, pay attention to questions and interests. Be attentive to your group’s needs and consider the following questions to help you determine what topics to cover:

• What questions are your group members asking?

• What principles or topics would help them most at this stage in their Christian walks? 

• Do they understand the foundations of their faith (e.g., salvation, forgiveness, the Spirit-filled life and how to study God’s Word)? Are they sharing their faith?

Communicate important details

Think about who you want to invite and what location would be comfortable and convenient for them. Having people over to your home (or another group member’s home) can be a good way to create a welcoming environment.

A small group is usually between three and 10 people, and works best when you can meet these important goals:

• Everyone can participate.

• Learning takes place through dialogue.

• There’s room for everyone to sit together comfortably.

Most small groups meet for about an hour. As you set your meeting time, consider the schedules of your group members and stick to the time you set. When people know what to expect, they’re more likely to come back.

Your small group can lead people to Jesus

Small groups aren’t just for Christians — they can also help others explore a relationship with Jesus. Consider inviting a few people who don’t know Him yet, and choose content accordingly.

Another way your small group can introduce others to Jesus is through service and outreach. As you reflect on the purpose of your group, consider how you could grow together through caring for your local community.

Countdown to group launch

A few days before the first meeting

• Contact all group members and ensure they know the date, location and time of the next meeting, as well as what they can expect from the group. 

• Prepare the content of your lesson and go through it yourself. 

• Pray for the people you invited. Ask God for wisdom about how you can represent his love to them.

• Choose an icebreaker to help group members get to know each other. 

• Plan how much time you’ll spend on each element: icebreaker, content and prayer. 

• Pick up some refreshments. There is nothing like a good snack to get people comfortable, loosened up and talking. 

Thirty minutes before your first meeting

• Arrive early.

• Pray for your time and your group members, and ask the Lord to help you lead well.

• Silence your phone to reduce distractions, but keep it on in case someone gets lost and tries to call you.

• Make sure there are plenty of seats.

• Set out snacks.

After the meeting: Reflect and evaluate

• How did you see God at work during the meeting? Take time to thank him for all he did.

• Did everyone show up? If not, reach out to ask if they can make it next time, or if there’s any way you can pray for them.

• Were you prepared? Did you feel confident and at ease?

• Was the time and place convenient and easy for everyone?

One final thought

The goal of a small group is to grow with Jesus in community. The greatest impact comes from demonstrating God’s love — not just discussing spiritual topics.

“So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8, New International Version).

Be ready for people to share both the messy and the polished parts of their lives. This is the greatest reward of leading a small group.