Sending Path · Introduction to Serving · Lesson 5: Leading a Small Group · Leading a Small Group
This lesson in one sentence: Leading a group does not depend on eloquence: we plant and water; it is God who gives the growth.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Discussion20 min
- Try leading a part15 min
- Pray for One Another10 min
Opening
In groups you have been part of, what one thing did a leader do that helped you most?
Read Together
My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1 Corinthians 2:4 · WEB
I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6 · WEB
Discussion
- “not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4)—when you think about leading a group, does this make you more relaxed, or more nervous?
- “I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)—what can a leader do? What can’t they do?
- Read through the general leading principles: which one do you find hardest?
This Week
Read one group leader’s guide (Lesson 1 of the Seeking Path is the best place to start), then ask someone who has led a group: next time, could I lead the opening?
Try leading a part: take turns leading the ‘opening’ from the guide for Lesson 1 of the Seeking Path, with the others as group members; afterward, each says one thing that went well.
Closing
In pairs, pray for your partner’s next time leading a group.
Tips for the leader
- In ‘try leading a part’, say only what went well—no fault-finding; this time is for building confidence.
- Encourage those who want to lead to co-lead once with someone experienced, rather than leading a whole session alone from start to finish.
- Reminder: what is said in the group stays in the group, and the leader must guard this most of all.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.