Understand Your Role as a Small Group Leader

As the leader of a small group, you need information or skills in at least five areas:

1. knowledge of the work
2. knowledge of responsibilities
3. skill in instructing
4. skill in improving methods
5. skill in leading.1

As you prepare to lead, ask yourself these questions.

• How can I get the group to accomplish its goals?
• How do I help the group grow and learn?
• How do I involve group members in meaningful activities?

Leading a group is not just relating information to a gathered audience. Create a learning environment that encourages persons to participate and share.

Your role as leader is not to bring glory to yourself. The best group learning usually takes place when the leader blends into the group and is not set apart. Read the following guidelines and consider what effect they would have on you and your small group.

• Atmosphere. Create an atmosphere that encourages each member to share ideas and invest talents. Convey acceptance to group members. This frees them to become involved and participate openly.
• Goals. Help move the group toward its established goals. Keep the group united and focused on its task.
• Relate to the group in a servant capacity. Consider Jesus’ role as leader and think about ways you can serve group members.
• Criticism. A mature leader who has created an accepting group atmosphere can allow room for healthy criticism and can cope adequately with hostility.
• Feelings. Participate as a group member and share your positive and negative feelings. Although you are the leader, you have a right to express your feelings as any other member would. Use nonthreatening “I feel” messages rather than accusatory “you” messages.
• Failures. Overcome your personal leadership mistakes and help group members overcome their failures. Inevitably, periods of discouragement, lack of interest, or low morale come. Learn from those times and move toward growth.
• Total effort. Concern yourself about the total group effort. Be aware of what is happening within the group and encourage growth.
• Acceptance. Express your acceptance of group members. Listen to them, set aside your own biases while they speak, and convey the fact that you consider them significant part of the group. This will signal that you expect them to contribute to the group and give their best. Be patient and allow them to share when they are ready. Put their needs ahead of your own.