Three Ways to Higher Small Group Engagement

“Walking into this week’s Small Group, I was dragging. Ugh. I had way too many things going on, work was insanely stressful, the kids were bouncing around from event to event, and the wife and I have been at each other’s throat. That and the fact that every Small Group is like pulling teeth, trying to pry out any engagement from people.

Share your story! Interact with scripture! Just be real or even pretend you like these people! 

Every week was the same thing, just a different day. And then it happened. A light bulb went off. Perhaps it wasn’t the group, it was me. Maybe I’ve been going about things the wrong way. Maybe I’ve been pushing too hard or in the wrong direction. 

I was the problem, and only I can bring about the solution.”

If you’ve been a part of a church, then you have undoubtedly experienced this scenario: A Small Group with little to no engagement, where the leader is stressed every week, and it seems like it’s a waste of time because no one is growing. This is a reality, but it is also a reality we can work with, if you’re willing to change.

Start by identifying the reason you are meeting each week. 

What are they there for? [ Want to read more about ministry purpose? ] Are your Small Groups sermon based Small Groups, are they topical, are you going through a study or are they primarily relationship engines that foster community? Do you even have an answer to that? Let’s start there. If you don’t know why you’re meeting together every week, then you’ve got to figure out that piece of the puzzle. If you’re a sermon based Small Group, then your engagement should focus on the sermon and scripture at hand. If it’s not and people are coming in unprepared, then you’re hosed. Same thing with a study based Small Group. You only get out of something what you put in. But if it’s a relational engine and people aren’t connecting, then you’ve got to shake things up and create a little action. Make it a family affair each and every week, where people look forward to it and walk home with stories in tow.

Figure out the WHY behind your Small Group and move forward.

Then lean into the relationships that you are building throughout the week. 

If people are consistently showing up each week, then you’re well on your way to winning the battle. Most leaders miss this. They think just because the members of a Small Group aren’t engaging that they’re failing. To be honest, if they’re showing up, you’re winning. In a day and age where solid church attendance is showing up one out of every four Sundays, if you’ve got participation every week, then you’re winning.

Life is more than just showing up, it’s being present and being present consistently.

If they’re present, figure out how they can be present with one another throughout the week. But don’t force it on anyone. We live in America and we love choices. Give us options and we are fine. Give us one option and we are done. Is it possible to take your Small Group online for a private Facebook chat? Can you meet up every week or once a month to serve somewhere, or even have a blast out partying at the lake? These should be people you actually want to be around, but if you aren’t providing options, you aren’t providing a whole solution.

Become a better leader of leaders. 

If your group is present but disengaged, then you haven’t figured out how to lead leaders of leaders. Inside of your group of ten to fifteen adults, there are leaders of leaders present. Amongst the ghost and distractors, there are leaders who have yet to be called on, asked to serve, give them an opportunity to fly like a peacock. Figure out who they are by engaging with them one on one and when the time comes for them to lead, let them! Let them share their insight, their life experience, and then become an active listener who can create conversation off of what they’re bringing to the table. This not only creates a more active space, it allows you to raise up new leaders who can then grow your leadership base as you launch more Small Groups for your growing churches.

1. Why are you meeting as a Small Group?
2. How are you sustaining relationships from week to week?
3. What are you doing to grow the church through Small Groups?

If you can identify and agree to the reason(s) you are meeting, if you have a plan for sustainable relational growth from meeting to meeting, and you are raising up the next generation of leaders from within, then you are well on your way to a more engaged Small Group and a system of Small groups for your church.

Have you figured out the why, what, and how of your Small Groups?

If so, take the next step and tie them all together with our free Small Group resource below. No strings attached. Just another way we want to support you in accomplishing the Jesus mission.

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