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Small Group Format

For Small Groups and House Churches:

Simple Small Group Leaders Format Guide:

(!) Keep the tempo and pace of the study keep flowing smoothly. Avoid awkward silences and irrelevant discussions by moving on. Have a commentary and dictionary handy incase people have difficult questions.  Let everyone get food, drinks, talk, meet, and get settled before beginning.

1. Open with Prayer. Ask for God to bless everyone with a deeper understanding of his word. Ask  that those who don’t know him, get to know him and those that already know him, get to know him more. Pray that truth is revealed and accepted by all.

2. Flashback. (if applicable) Ask Someone (who attended last time) to give a quick summary of what was read and learned last time. This way minds are reminded, caught up, and the context is set. You may ask more than one person what they learned.

3. The Reading. Have everyone open their Bibles to today’s reading. Give them time to find it and find their place. Break up the read if it is long.
  • Have a few different people read a few verses each to get people involved.
  • Read one story at a time. 
  • Pause between each story in the chapter to discuss.
4. The Discussion. Ask questions to get everyone thinking: Wait and give time for people to think and answer. Call on someone if needed but allow for multiple people to respond if they want.
  • “What is going on in this story?” - a basic summary about the story.
  • “What is the key verse?”
  • “Who are the principal characters?”
  • “How did this event affect them?”
  • “What were the positive (or negative) actions (or effects) with this person?”
  • “How did this person glorify (or not glorify) God?”
  • “What is this story saying about God?”
  • “How does he feel?”
  • “What does he do?”
  • “What is he like?”
  • “What is this story saying about The Church or Israel?”
  • “What is this story saying about the world?”
  • “What is this story saying about the key subject?” (ex: salvation, grace, love, sin...)

5. Relate and Application. Then after the story is understood in its context, relate the message to the everyone there.  Ask a few questions; ait and give time for people to think and answer. Call on someone if needed but allow for multiple people to respond if they want.
  • “Does this story relate to your life?”, “how”, “why”
  • “Do you relate or know someone who relates to the main character(s)?” “how”, “why”
  • “What is the example for me to follow (or not follow)?”
  • “Is there an error to avoid?”, “how”, “why”
  • “Is there a duty, expectation, or responsibility as a follower?”, “how”, “why”
  • “How can I use this example to grow closer to God and glorify him in my life?”, “how”, “why”
6. The Leader’s View. This is where you add anything that might have been missed. You may also read a separate related story or a commentary about what was just read. Bring out more specific points if needed.

7. Flash-forward. Mention briefly what is next in the reading for next time.

8. Closing Prayer. Ask for prayer requests. Have different people pray for each other. You close out the prayer.
  • a. Ask that God grants knowledge from this reading of his word and that knowledge turns into wisdom and a deeper relationship and knowledge of God. Be thankful for everyone who came, everything provided and anything to be thankful for.
9. Announcements. This time is used to make plans and announce events coming up and get people aware and invited.

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