Introduction
Let’s be honest: when most small church pastors hear “small groups,” they picture a church of 500 with a dedicated small group pastor, a curriculum library, and a database tracking everyone’s attendance. That’s not your church. You’re lucky if you have 30 people on a Sunday morning, and half of them are over 65.
So should you even bother with small groups?
The answer is yes — but not the way big churches do them.
According to Lifeway Research (2023), small churches with fewer than 50 attendees face significant challenges with small group participation. In fact, 39% of the smallest churches say less than 25% of their attendees are involved in a small group. But here’s what the research also shows: churches that do get small groups right report higher evangelistic impact, stronger new member assimilation, and deeper discipleship.
The key is adapting the model for your context. Here’s how.
Why Small Churches Actually Have an Advantage
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about why small churches are actually better positioned for small groups than you might think.
The relationships are already there. In a church of 50, most people know each other. You don’t need icebreaker games or “get to know you” sessions. The relational foundation already exists — you just need to give those relationships a structure for spiritual growth.
You don’t need a building. Small groups in small churches can meet in homes, at the church, at a coffee shop, or even at someone’s kitchen table. No special facilities required.
Everyone can participate. In a church of 30 adults, you could theoretically have 100% participation in small groups. That’s not possible in a church of 500.
Accountability is natural. In a small church, people know if you’re struggling. That accountability — when it’s done with love — is exactly what small groups are designed to provide.
Step 1: Choose the Right Type of Small Group
Not all small groups are created equal. For small churches, here are the types that work best:
Bible Study Groups
The most straightforward option. Pick a book of the Bible, a Bible study guide, or even last Sunday’s sermon and discuss it. The key is discussion — not lecture.
Best for: Churches that want a simple, content-focused group.
Prayer Groups
A group that meets primarily to pray together. This works well for older members who may not be able to do a lot of reading or travel far.
Best for: Churches with a strong prayer culture, members who are homebound or have limited mobility.
Service/Project Groups
A group that focuses on doing ministry together. This could be preparing meals for shut-ins, working on a community service project, or helping with church maintenance.
Best for: Churches that learn by doing, members who are more action-oriented.
Hybrid Groups
A simple Bible study followed by prayer and discussion of how to apply it in daily life. This is often the most effective model for small churches because it covers all the bases.
Best for: Most small churches. This is the recommended starting point.
What doesn’t work in small churches:
- Groups that require expensive curriculum
- Groups that need more than 8-10 people to function
- Groups that meet at multiple locations across a wide geographic area
- Groups that require a paid, trained leader
Step 2: Look Around You — Your Leader Already Exists
The biggest mistake small churches make when starting small groups is looking for someone with the perfect qualifications. You’re not looking for a seminary graduate with a certificate in small group leadership. You’re looking for someone who:
- Has a genuine faith and is growing spiritually
- Is respected by other members
- Is willing to prepare (even if preparation just means reading the passage before the meeting)
- Can ask good questions (even if they don’t know all the answers)
- **Sermon-based discussion:** Use last Sunday’s sermon as your discussion starter. This reinforces the preaching and costs nothing.
- **Book of the Bible study:** Simply work through a book of the Bible together, a chapter at a time.
- **Free online curriculum:** Many publishers offer free studies for small groups.
- **Seasonal studies:** Advent and Lenten studies are available free from many sources.
- Identify a potential leader from within the group (someone who’s been faithful and growing)
- Give them 4-6 weeks of training and mentoring from the current leader
- Launch the new group with 3-4 people from the original group
- Celebrate the multiplication as a church
- [Small Group Starter Guide for Small Churches](/product/small-group-starter-guide-for-small-churches/) — Complete guide with meeting format, discussion questions, and leader covenant
- [New Member Ministry Toolkit](/product/free-resource-new-member-ministry-toolkit/) — Help new members connect through small groups
- [Volunteer Training Guide](/product/volunteer-training-guide-recruit-train-retain-and-recognize-volunteers/) — Train your small group leaders
In a small church, you probably already know who this person is. It might be a retired teacher, a deacon who’s been faithful for 20 years, or a newer member who’s hungry for deeper community.
Important: Don’t wait for the perfect leader. A willing, faithful leader is better than a qualified one who never steps up.
Step 3: Start With One Group
Don’t try to launch multiple groups simultaneously. Start with one group, do it well, and let it grow naturally.
Recommended size: 4-8 people. In a small church, that’s 15-25% of your adult congregation, which is an excellent participation rate.
Recommended meeting time: 1.5 hours, once a week or once every two weeks. Weekly meetings build momentum; biweekly meetings are easier to sustain.
Recommended meeting place: A home, the church building, or a quiet restaurant. Rotate meeting places if possible to share the burden of hosting.
Step 4: Use a Simple Meeting Format
Here’s a straightforward format that works for small church small groups:
1. Fellowship and Snacks (15 minutes)
People arrive, get coffee, catch up. Don’t rush this. In a small church, this fellowship time IS part of the ministry.
2. Opening Prayer and Check-In (10 minutes)
Go around the group and share what’s happening in your life. This builds community and helps the leader know who needs prayer.
3. Bible Study/Discussion (45 minutes)
Read the passage together. Ask questions. Discuss what it means and how it applies to your lives. The leader’s job is to facilitate discussion, not to teach a lecture.
4. Prayer Requests and Prayer (20 minutes)
Share specific needs and pray together. This is often the most meaningful part of the meeting.
5. Mission/Service (10 minutes)
Identify one thing the group can do together in the coming week — a phone call to a shut-in, a service project, a community need.
6. Closing (10 minutes)
Wrap up, confirm next meeting details, and close in prayer.
Step 5: Pick Your Content
You don’t need to spend $200 on curriculum. Here are free and low-cost options:
MinistryPlace.net’s Small Group Starter Guide includes a complete meeting format, discussion questions, and a leader covenant template — everything you need to launch your first group.
Step 6: Plan for Multiplication
When your group reaches 8-10 people, it’s time to multiply. Here’s how:
Multiplication should happen every 12-18 months in a healthy small group.
Common Problems (and How to Solve Them)
“We don’t have enough people.”
You don’t need 20 people for a small group. You need 4. Start there.
“We don’t have a qualified leader.”
You don’t need a seminary graduate. You need a faithful member who will prepare and show up.
“What about people who can’t attend on weeknights?”
Try a Saturday morning group, a lunch group, or a group that meets at the church before or after the Sunday service.
“Someone in the group always dominates the conversation.”
The leader needs to gently manage this. Ask the dominant speaker to hold their thoughts and invite others to share privately.
“Our group becomes a social club and never gets to the Bible.”
Gently redirect. “That’s a great story. Now let’s see what the Bible says about this topic.”
The Bottom Line
Small groups in small churches don’t require a big budget, a professional staff, or a fancy curriculum. They require a willing leader, a handful of faithful members, and a simple plan. Start small. Start today. And trust God to do what only He can do with a group of people who are serious about growing together.
Related Resources
About the Author: Brent Lacy has served in small town and rural ministry for over 25 years. He is the founder of MinistryPlace.net and Rural Think Tank, and has helped thousands of small church leaders develop practical resources for faithful ministry.
FAQ
Q: How many people do we need to start a small group?
A: You need at least 3-4 people. In a small church of 30-50, that’s a great start. Don’t wait for more people — start with who you have.
Q: How often should a small group meet?
A: Weekly is ideal for building momentum. Biweekly is easier to sustain. Monthly is the minimum for maintaining community.
Q: What if our group is all older adults?
A: That’s perfectly fine. Adapt the meeting format to your group’s needs — shorter meetings, more prayer, less homework. The goal is spiritual growth, not checking boxes.
Q: Do we need to buy curriculum?
A: No. You can use the sermon as your discussion starter, work through a book of the Bible, or use free online studies. Curriculum can help, but it’s not required.
Q: What if someone in the group shares something concerning (suicidal thoughts, abuse, etc.)?
A: The leader should take all concerns seriously. For immediate danger, call 911. For abuse, follow your state’s mandatory reporting laws. For pastoral concerns, contact your pastor immediately. Small group leaders are not counselors — they’re connectors who know when to refer.