Category Archives: Small Group

We hear much about small groups in churches these days. Some may question the benefit of small group studies versus large groups.

Questions about Small Group Studies Versus Larger Groups

Why teach in small groups when you can reach more in a larger group?

While it is true that you will reach more people in a large group setting, the group dynamic will differ, allowing different possibilities in smaller groups than larger ones.

Here are benefits of small groups: 1) provide opportunity for deeper sharing as it is less intimidating than in a large group, 2) maximize participation so more people can engage more often, 3) increase the potential of fellowship and ministry to one another as people are able to get to know one another better, 4) engender a sense of accountability as it isn’t as easy to hide in a small group, 5) enable teachers to do more shepherding as their span of influence isn’t as great (See: Shepherding Ministry Venue: Small Groups)

Large groups, on the other hand: 1) provide an entry point for people who aren’t ready to get more intimate, 2) feel less threatening to people who are reticent to participate, 3) have potential of bringing greater diversity into fellowship, 4) can make people feel like they’re part of something bigger, 5) enable teachers to reach more people at once

It’s not simply a question of reach versus depth. The greatest benefit for people would be learning opportunities in both large and small group settings.

You’ll find a response to the following question as well in the Bible Teacher’s Handbook of Frequently Asked Questions.

How can a church provide both large and small group studies?

This handbook asks a total of 153 questions totaling 49 different issues related to Bible teaching.

Being a facilitator who encourages collaboration, fosters community, and cultivates spiritual growth, takes more than skill. To best steer members in that direction, a small group Bible study teacher’s life matters. Certain traits will increase the potential of teaching in ways that lead to this potential in small groups.

Needed Traits in a Small Group Bible Study Teacher’s Life

We will either enhance the potential of a small group or detract from it by not only the way we act but also react, by not only our words but also our attitudes.

• To facilitate learning in a way that promotes collaboration, we need to be humble. We are there to learn and grow as co-learners. Unless we truly believe that what happens isn’t about us or what we know, we’ll tend to be more controlling rather than act as a guide.

• If we’re going to foster community, we need to be an example of what it means to accept (Rom. 15:7), care for (1 Cor. 12:25), and relate in other ways with one another. It will become obvious rather quickly whether our agenda or people are most important.

• To effectively disciple members of the small group, cultivating spiritual growth, we need to be available, approachable, and supportive. As we actively encourage (1 Thess. 5:11) members of the group and spur them on (Heb. 10:24), we’ll serve as a model for them to do likewise.

If we take time to reflect on the potential of small groups, we’ll soon arrive at some goals for our teaching. Those goals will then steer us to a small group Bible study teacher’s methods and materials. What methodology will best accomplish our goals so we can maximize the potential for learning in this size group?

3 Ways for A Small Group Bible Study Teacher’s Methods and Materials to Maximize Potential Learning

If a small group’s potential centers around it being an ideal setting for collaboration, community, and cultivation of growth, then Bible teachers need to employ the following strategies in their methodology.

1) To facilitate learning together, we must use more student-oriented, particularly group-oriented, methods rather than teacher-oriented methodology.

That means we must nix lecture and other one-way methods. This, of course, doesn’t mean we never provide biblical content. Small groups need a context for discussion with the Word central to that. But, as facilitators, we do not dominate the time. Giving assignments for members to do some outside reading and study can minimize some of the need to “inform” when meeting.

2) To foster community wherein members sense that they are in this together, united, we must encourage total participation.

Discussion leads the way in small groups as a means of learning from one another, but if we aren’t careful, dominate personalities can take over the discussion. For help avoiding that so as not to stifle total participation, check out: In Facilitating a Discussion, Everyone’s Contribution is Valuable Worksheet

The types of materials used for study should promote maximum participation. DVD studies can be good for getting content out but should then be followed by discussion. Community will not be fostered if minimal time remains for interaction.

3) To focus on cultivating spiritual growth, discipleship, we must emphasize the application of what has been learned.

Keep the collaboration and community aspects of small group learning pointed toward this long-range goal. Small group Bible studies must be more than a sharing of personal opinions or a social time. If they don’t lead to changed lives, the building of fully devoted followers of Jesus, then the collaboration and community hasn’t been built around the foundation of His Word and the presence of His Spirit at work in and through group members. Promote this focus by guiding the group to …

Pray for one another about their struggles and temptations but also pray similar to Colossians 1:9-10. — “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God …”

Hold one another accountable, remembering that “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). This takes being open and honest with each other (James 5:16; Col. 3:9), recognizing that we need each other in the growth process. — “As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ . . . If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Cor. 12:20-21, 26)

Following up with each other outside of group time becomes integral to spurring one another on (Heb. 10:24). A simple text, e-mail, or phone call may be all that’s needed to provide encouragement, though sometimes a more prolonged interaction, perhaps in-person, may be essential. As group members become more and more “devoted to one another in love” (Rom. 12:10a), their willingness to get involved in each other’s lives outside of group time will increase.

A small group Bible study teacher’s goals will largely grow out of what one believes should be happening in a small group setting. If collaboration, community, and cultivation of spiritual growth are important, then teachers of small groups will view themselves as facilitators who foster the kind of climate for that to happen, always focusing on the ultimate goal.

A Small Group Bible Study Teacher’s Goals Align with the Potential of Small Groups

A mid-size group such as a Sunday School class and especially a large group like those in a seminar or sermon, limit the amount of interaction among students, and consequently the degree of collaboration and community that can take place in those settings. Small groups, however, have the potential of encouraging maximum participation among its members. A good understanding of the dynamic possible in a small group setting, should affect a teacher’s goals.

Here are three goals for teachers that align with the potential of small groups:

1) Facilitate learning from one another, studying God’s Word together.

Collaboration in the learning process will not happen if small group teachers find the need to constantly insert themselves, telling people all they know. As a facilitator, however, the teacher comes alongside of group members, keeping the discussion on track and pointing to their need to look to God’s Word for answers.

2) Foster an environment for community.

Just because small groups can potentially be one of the best environments for Body Life to happen, doesn’t mean it will. To foster community, teachers must incorporate time for members to get to know one another. That means getting personal and being real with each other which can best be encouraged by a teacher’s own example. It also requires making the small group a safe place to share, express doubts, and give opinions. Teachers must not tolerate or demonstrate condemnation, ridicule, or disregard.

3) Focus on discipleship, the spiritual growth and health of everyone.

Hebrews 10:24 exhorts us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching”. The ultimate goal of collaboration and community in studying the Word together isn’t merely to gain head knowledge or to build good relationships but rather to help group members grow to become more fully devoted followers of Jesus who love the Lord which spills over into loving people (Matt. 22:37-40).

For More: Small Groups Teacher Training Resources