Build a Small-Group Study Plan

Written by Rick Howerton

Lost and unchurched adults abound in large numbers within two or three miles of most churches, but few ever participate in Bible study at the church. Can we reach these people with the gospel while growing believers and encouraging future group leaders?

The answer is yes if our focus is offering an informal, enjoyable, relational study group in which people feel comfortable, and find personal identity. Small-group Bible studies offer adults a secure, informal, and non-threatening place where they can study God’s Word and build authentic relationships. The key however is offering quality, intentional Bible study groups that grow out of a clear commitment to make them work. Consider these steps:

Seek God’s wisdom. Prayer about whether to start small groups is very important because a small group ministry requires leaders who have a heart for people and are willing to invest themselves in the lives of group members.

Clarify your vision. Developing a mission based on prayer and commitment helps leaders set the course. A vision helps focus our efforts in one direction rather than chasing off in multiple directions.

Identify your target. Before starting groups, know who you want to reach through the studies. Most studies, particularly those offered by Serendipity House, are designed with specific groups in mind.

Develop a strategy. Think about the people around your church. How many have been there for years? Approaches used in the past have not worked, so something different is necessary. Bring together church leaders who can offer ideas for creating something new.

Choose your approach. One small group study repeated every quarter does not meet the needs of all people who need to grow spiritually. Certainly some lost people will come to faith in Christ through small groups. But evangelistic studies are only part of what can be offered.

Train small group leaders. Again, the nature of small group studies is different from an ongoing Sunday School class. Identify potential leaders, equip them based on the unique needs of the small group target, and commission them to fulfill the tasks for which they have been trained. Becoming Small Group Leaders, by Serendipity House, will help you train leaders.

Monitor the process. The small group approach needs one central leader who coordinates the work. This leader can evaluate the effectiveness of current studies while identifying other needs to address and groups for which to plan.

Recycle. Start every group with a leader and an apprentice. Every leader should be training an apprentice to someday lead his or her own group. Equip them to invest themselves in others as their leaders have in them.

Learn and apply. As you complete studies, evaluate and plan new groups based on your experience. Develop a planning calendar that put structures to your plans. Use all the organizational tools you can find to create a life-changing small group ministry.

Effective small group studies are more than off-campus study groups. Serendipity House offers a host of studies as well as training resources to start, maintain, and grow a life-changing ministry to people who otherwise might not come through your church doors.

 

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