How to Lead a Small Group in 4 Steps
Leading a small group Bible study can be rewarding, but there are several questions to consider:
- How do you prepare yourself to lead a small group?
- What should your group study together?
- What’s the best way to lead helpful discussion?
- How can you keep your small group engaged?
Answering these four questions will get you on the right track to leading a successful, fulfilling small group Bible study.
Prepare Yourself to Lead
Truly spiritual ministry emerges from the overflow of your personal relationship with God. There are three essential tasks to preparing yourself as a leader:
- Study God’s Word on your own
- Pray for each person in your group
- Pray for the Spirit’s guidance as you lead your group
- You can’t go wrong when you start by remembering how much you need God’s help to love and lead his people.
You can’t go wrong when you start by remembering how much you need God’s help to love and lead his people.
- Logos blog: The Formula for Success All Great Leaders Follow
- Logos blog: 4 Easy Ways to Breathe New Life into Bible Study
- Logos blog: 3 Things Logos Can Do for the Lay Leader
- Logos Wiki: Logos as a Small Group Study Platform
PD201 Introducing Spiritual Formation
This course by bestselling author Dr. Gary Thomas walks students through the theology behind spiritual growth and formation. Beginning with God’s love for his people and the spiritual disciplines, you can learn how God changes his people from the inside out.
Learn moreChoose Your Small Group Study
Picking a study for your small group can be daunting. While you can’t really go wrong when studying God’s Word, knowing the people in your group well will help you choose a study that guides them toward a deeper walk with God.
Some questions to consider as you think about a small group study:
- Do you want to study a book of the Bible or a special topic?
- Is there a book or topic that ties in well with your church’s sermon series?
- Where do you see a need for spiritual growth in your group?
Not Your Average Bible Study Series (15 vols.)
The Not Your Average Bible Study series combines a deep understanding of the biblical text with real-world application that is relevant to our lives today. Each volume guides you step-by-step through Scripture, helping you dig into the Bible on a whole new level. With discussion and reflection questions, prayer suggestions, and ideas for further study, you’ll see how easy it is to apply these lessons to your everyday life. This is not your average Bible study.
Learn more
LifeGuides Bible Studies: Christian Living Collection (14 vols.)
Looking for studies on specific topics related to the Christian life? This series covers issues such as Christian disciplines, aging, money, and more. With entries by Peter Scazzero and many more, you can quickly find a study to fit your group’s needs.
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Baker Bible Study Collection (11 vols.)
Want to dig in on what Scripture really says about any topic? This collection guides your group through the Bible’s teaching on parenting, heaven, and angels—and it even has a study on the most misused verses in the Bible.
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Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods
Take your group through a Bible study without an accompanying study guide using pastor Rick Warren’s instructions on studying the Bible. The methods in the book walk you through how to study the Bible in depth so you can more effectively teach it in a small group setting.
Learn moreEngage Your Small Group in Discussion
Every group has them. The overtalker. The quiet one. The unsolicited advice-giver. With so many unique people in each group, you never quite know what to expect when you lead small group discussion. But having an arsenal of good questions can help you facilitate a fruitful, encouraging conversation.
- Logos blog: Overcome Those Awkward Silences in Your Small Group
- Faithlife blog: How to Ask Big Questions in Your Small Group
- Church Leaders: The Absolute Best Discussion Question You Can Ask in Small Group
- Small Group Churches: Small Group Discussion Questions That Go Deep
Logos 8 Fundamentals
Small groups are a great place to ask tough theological questions, but you might need time to find the answers. With the Bible study tools in Logos 8 Fundamentals, you can quickly search the Scriptures to find answers to your biblical questions. It’s a great place to start with Logos, since it has four Bible versions, several commentaries and Bible studies, and lots of Bible research aids.
Learn moreKeep in Touch with Your Group All Week
The time your small group meets together each week is just one part of the equation for a healthy group. Creating ways for your group to talk throughout the week, share prayer requests, and studying the Word together are the other keys to a successful small group experience.
Small Groups on Faithlife.com
Faithlife.com is a church’s one-stop communication hub, with tools for everything from events to prayer requests and even churchwide Bible reading plans. With mobile apps for easy group and one-on-one messaging, you can stay in touch with your small group from anywhere.
Learn moreConclusion
With the right tools and resources, leading a church small group can be even more rewarding—and easier.