Starting a small group is fun, but what started as a great thing can easily become a tired thing. Over time, the people who started with you might move on. And others join with different needs and expectations. Or people don’t join, and it starts to feel stagnant. While God is the one who builds community, there are practical steps you can take to keep your small group thriving over the long term. Consider these four.

1. Clarify what you’re trying to do

Everybody who joins a group does so with a purpose in mind. They want to build relationships, deepen their accountability, or grow in Bible study. I’ve been a part of groups where months in, I realized that my expectations and the group’s goals were out of sync. It dawned on me that I wouldn’t get what I wanted from the group, and my interest and involvement began to fade.

When it’s thriving, people often express appreciation for the group and signal what it is about the group that they truly value. When that’s not happening, it’s worth asking group members why they’re there.

Our life groups set out to emphasize fellowship, discipleship, prayer, and mission, but groups can struggle with one or more of those priorities. And sometimes, people are looking for something different. Take some time as a group to ask:

• What do you most want from this group?

• What do you most appreciate?

• Where would you like to see our group grow?

As you discuss those questions, you may find that a person’s unmet expectations may energize your group’s growth and development.

2. Work on the relationships

The thing about small groups is that they’re small. And because they’re small, the quality of the relationships impacts almost everything that happens. If relationships are that important, they’re worth observing. Ask yourself questions like:

• Are people getting along?

• Are people connecting outside of the group?

• Is anyone left out?

• How do people respond to newcomers?

Address tension where you see it. Be a peacemaker and a bridge builder. Help people deal with conflict. Encourage connections and create socials and events that will draw people together and deepen the fellowship. If you’re meeting online, this is all the more important.

3. Shepherd people’s growth graciously

Nobody joins a small group at church because they don’t want to grow. People sacrifice their time for relationships, support, and Bible study, but a small group has the potential to deliver more. As you get to know people in a small group, you can see areas where maturity is lacking. There can be gaps in understanding and holes in trust and obedience. A group thrives when it can help fill those holes. But doing so requires wisdom and grace.

Ask yourself questions like:

• What’s the spiritual condition of the people in my group?

• Am I confident that they truly know Jesus? Do they understand the gospel?

• Are there areas of immaturity that are impacting others?

• What’s the next step this person needs to take?

Once you’ve assessed the needs, you look for the most gracious way to address them. Maybe it’s a group assignment. Sometimes a testimony will help. Often, it will involve some one-on-one time. Bring grace and truth to the spiritual needs of your group members.

4. Get out and do something

There’s nothing like mixing things up to inject life into your life group. If all that you do happens in the same weekly format and time slot, it’s easy for it to become stale. There are things that you can do as a group that you’d never be able to accomplish as individuals. So, talk about opportunities and work at mission as a group.

• Hold a social event you can invite others to

• Plan an outing as a group to deepen your connections

• Look for ways you can minister to your neighbourhood

Thriving small groups don’t happen by accident. They need work and fine-tuning to keep meeting their purpose and the needs of the group members. If you’re sensing drift, don’t panic. Start by clarifying your purpose, strengthen your connections, shepherd people with grace, and get moving on mission. Keep your group focused on what matters most and ask God to breathe new life into it.

In awe of Him,

Paul