Small Groups helps churches build disciple-making communities where people grow in Scripture, prayer, and relationships. Explore practical, Bible-based articles on launching and leading groups, training leaders, choosing curriculum, facilitating discussion, and creating healthy group culture. You’ll find guidance on group multiplication, care and accountability, welcoming new people, and connecting groups to the church’s mission. Whether you lead a group, oversee a small groups ministry, or want to strengthen community in your congregation, these resources equip you to help people follow Jesus together.
February 3, 2011
“February in Cleveland means snow,” says Momentum Christian Church (Garfield Heights, OH), “and snow means annual competition for Mo Groups!” This month Momentum encourages its small groups to clear snow from as many driveways in the community as possible; the activity blesses neighbors, builds friendships within the small group, AND offers bragging rights for the winning group. Stay warm up there, guys . . .
January 24, 2011
By Brian Jones A few years ago I brought in a nationally recognized pastor to do some consulting for our church. One of the things I remember most about my time with him was a side conversation we had about small groups. “I haven’t really figured out the small group thing,” I confessed to him. “Well, Brian, that’s because they don’t work. Small groups are things that trick us into believing we’re serious about making disciples. The problem is 90 percent of small groups never produce one single disciple. Ever. They help Christians make shallow friendships, for sure. They’re great
November 5, 2010
By Michael Mack How many people can you effectively lead, shepherd, and disciple? Eight? Ten? Twelve? Twenty? Let me ask the question another way: If you are to bear much fruit, fruit that will last . . . if you are to see true transformation of people”s lives . . . if you are to see people develop into leaders so that you are multiplying your leadership . . . into how many people can you invest your life? Jesus formed a small group that would eventually change the world. But first, he called two sets of brothers: Simon Peter and Andrew,
November 4, 2010
By Bill Search We”ve called change different things through the years: discipleship, edification, sanctification, transformation, spiritual formation. These are really great terms, but they convey one simple idea: how people become more like Jesus. A healthy small group should help people change. But many of our groups get off track. Ironically, the love for Scripture can accidentally distract us from the ultimate goal of changing to become like Jesus. You Need to Know More Some groups take a materialistic approach to Bible study. They crave to know more. They may not have the same intense desire to become different people,
November 4, 2010
By Michael Mack What makes a small group healthy? At Northeast Christian Church, we define small group health by seven biblical values and evaluate all groups annually to see how they are doing. Note that the first four deal with how a group is focused and organized, and the last three deal with what they do. 1. Christ-centered: Jesus is the real group leader. Groups meet in his presence and power and for his purposes. (Matthew 18:20) 2. Healthy, growing leaders: The small group leader is growing in his or her faith by being involved in daily disciplines such as Bible
November 3, 2010
By Dick Alexander For most of our adult lives my wife and I have been in a small group””not because my job requires it but because our souls do. Our small groups have laughed, cried, prayed, encouraged, and studied the Bible with us, and helped us keep our bearings through troubled times. They have been “church” to us. Usually when there”s conversation about the value of small groups in the church, it”s done on a pragmatic basis””they keep people connected, they”re important for assimilation, etc. But the main reason for small groups is this: they are foundational for a larger
August 8, 2010
By Jennifer Taylor From brand-new Christians to brand-new mothers, churches are inviting members to share their experiences, knowledge, and friendship with groups beginning new journeys. Significant Mothers When Evelyn Ritchie became an unwed teenage mother 21 years ago, she benefited from a local hospital program offering support and education. Today, Ritchie works with volunteers from Real Life Christian Church (Clermont, Florida) to provide the same experience for Clermont”s teen moms. In the new “ADAPT” program (Adolescent Development And Parent Training), Ritchie matches each teen””some pregnant and some parenting a new baby””with a mentor who shares parenting skills and provides encouragement.
January 4, 2009
Brian Mavis shares how LifeBridge Christian Church gave small groups half their tithes to invest in ministry, helping members serve needs, grow in generosity, and strengthen community.
August 31, 2008
Michael C. Mack offers seven relational strategies for helping people connect in small groups, urging church leaders to equip God’s people and restore a New Testament understanding of church.
August 27, 2008
Mark A. Taylor considers concerns from Brian Jones and Mike Mack about small group ministry, asking whether churches are creating meaningful connections and maturing disciples.
July 4, 2008
Jim Putman explains how Real Life Ministries built a discipleship-focused church culture around small groups, intentional leaders, apprentices, coaches, and relational environments for spiritual growth.
June 8, 2008
Michael C. Mack explains how small groups can move from good to great through transformed leaders, devoted teams, and a God-Sized Plan that pushes them toward mission.
June 8, 2008
Michael C. Mack explores the biblical role of shepherd-leaders in small groups, emphasizing stewardship, personal care, spiritual growth, and outreach to those who are lost.
June 8, 2008
Michael C. Mack explains why great small group leaders must be more than facilitators or hosts. They are shepherds who follow Jesus’ model of spiritual guidance and care.
June 8, 2008
Diane Stortz shares how reading through the Bible in a small group helped participants know God, gain wisdom, build community, and experience spiritual transformation together.
June 8, 2008
Dale Reeves highlights small group ministry resources from Standard Publishing designed to strengthen biblical community, deepen faith, and equip churches with participant guides, discussion books, and multimedia studies.
June 4, 2008
Mark A. Taylor identifies four standards for thriving small groups: begin with the Bible, adopt a strategy, train leaders, and expect community to grow organically.
July 8, 2007
Coffee culture is booming—but the bigger draw is community. Faith Café is a multisensory, interactive resource designed to help churches and small groups build authentic connection, spiritual formation, and practical next steps for faith.
July 8, 2007
Faith Café highlights Standard Publishing’s growing line of Bible-teaching tools for adults. Explore new small-group guides, practical leader helps, Genesis video studies by Bob Russell, and the new Standard Reference Library.
June 17, 2007
Moving a piano becomes a vivid picture of why believers need community. Chris Travis explains how God’s grace often reaches others through our gifts—and why a small group may need you more than you realize.
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