7 Tips for Building Your Small Group
Leading a small group is a significant and rewarding step of faith. Whether you felt led by a passion for Jesus, a love for people, or simply a sense of calling, saying "yes" is no small decision. But now that you’ve committed, you might be wondering, “What’s next? Who will come? What if no one shows up?”
I’ve been there. It’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. But trust me—it’s worth it. Small groups have the power to transform lives, redeem families, and deepen faith. God has amazing things in store, and He chose you for this! Here are seven practical tips to help you build your group:
1. Pray Over Your Group
Start with prayer. Ask God to open hearts, reveal the people He wants you to invite, and guide your efforts. Prayer is foundational for building a group and prayer gives you a glimpse of God’s perspective and his heart. Pray first.
2. INVITE PEOPLE YOU KNOW
Think about your current relationships—family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. These are the people God has already placed in your life. Take a sheet of paper and start writing down the names of people in your life and start by inviting them.
3. Be Invitational at Church
Make it a habit to connect with new people at church. Sit in different spots, introduce yourself to unfamiliar faces, and ask questions like, “How long have you been coming? Are you in a life group?” Be bold, step out in faith, and see how God leads you to people who are looking for community.
4. Encourage Invitees to Invite Others
Empower those you invite to share the opportunity with their circles. This creates a ripple effect and helps your group grow organically. Plus, it’s so much easier to come to a new group when you KNOW at least one person who will be there. This has become one of my most effective ways to build a group.
5. Write a Compelling Group Description
Clearly define your group’s purpose and who it’s for. As people search for a group on your church’s site, they will be asking, “Is this group for me?” So, do your best to capture people’s attention with your description. For example:
“Do you feel stuck in your spiritual life? Do you feel overwhelmed when you try to read your Bible? Do your prayers last a few seconds before you run out of things to pray for? This group is for you. We are a group of men who desire to grow in our faith and we are going to learn to study God’s word together so we can become the men God calls us to be!”
6. Respond to Inquiries
Be prompt and personal when someone expresses interest in your group. I have had leaders reach out saying, “No one is coming to my group” and I have looked at their group listing and they have multiple “join requests” they have not responded to. Be quick to respond and show them that they matter.
7. Be an Advocate
Share your passion and story with others. People are drawn to authenticity, so let them see why you believe in the impact of life groups. If it worked for you, they may believe that it will work for them.
Remember, it’s not about numbers. Don’t get caught up in how big your group is. If there is any number you focus on, let it be the number of people you invite. If you set a goal, focus on invitations, not attendance.
A few years ago, when Taylor and I were starting our group for young families, we were sitting toward the back of the church one Sunday. During the service, there was a couple sitting behind us and their young daughter started to fuss and cry. We could tell they were feeling frazzled and embarrassed, so we turned around to affirm them and basically said, “We’ve been there before! You guys are doing a great job!” After service, we introduced ourselves to them and invited them to our group. They have become close friends and I was even able to officiate their wedding!
Someone might be one invitation away from a totally new life! Be generous with your invitations - you never know how God will use it. Even small beginnings can lead to big transformations. Don’t wait—start building your group today!