Managing Small Groups

Small groups have rich potential for Christian formation and have long been a formative part of personal discipleship. Some churches will have well established small group structures into which these resources will fit seamlessly. Other churches may wish to use small group material in Lent either as a novel or a traditional Lenten practice. Don't assume that small groups will not work without reviewing the resources and considering the issue carefully on the planning group.

• Review the small group resource options from the links on this page and decide which might best suit the needs of the church.
• The texts on which the studies reflect different styles within Scripture: narrative (Exodus), epistle (2 Corinthians) Gospel story or teaching (Luke) or practical, issue focused material (Your Money Counts). Offering more than one study widens the appeal.
• Group leaders need to be recruited and prepared or existing ones briefed. Groups are best lay led but clergy should be involved in the briefing session with leaders looking at the small group material that will be used.
• Give plenty of time to advertising the group and recruiting members. Groups of 6-10 are best – a group of more than 10 is not advisable. Personal invitation is always more effective than letters, notices or the church noticeboard.
• Ensure there are sufficient venues. Groups are best in homes – though it is possible to arrange a number of groups in a hall or church at the same time. Ensure that hosts have simple and encouraging guidelines covering items like timing and appropriate refreshments.
• In churches without a culture of small teaching groups it may be helpful to use existing organisations; a number of special PCC's or DCC's, the Mothers Union etc. The programme may stimulate a thirst for learning in this environment
• One possibility for planning group leaders to explore is that of using the small groups as the focus for the distribution of the communication literature. Distributing literature through small groups can complement other methods: by mail, at church or by a parish visiting team. Within a small group members can prayerfully, and privately, make their own response via the response form that comes with the literature.
• The small groups study sessions will need to be completed prior to the Thanksgiving Service so that all response forms can be returned by or at this service.