How to Host a Church Based Small Group Meeting

If you are not familiar with the term 'small group,' this is just as it says, a small group of people with a desire to share time, prayer, bible study, and fellowship with others. A small group can be made up of any number of people from 2 to whatever is comfortable and you can have small groups that are made up of only couples, only single people, people with children or people with no children, or even a variety of members different ages, backgrounds, and situations.

Hosting a small group meeting can be very rewarding. You are inviting people into your home to share. It's very important for any small group to share prayers, personal needs or praise and some sort of bible study or growth. By opening up your home to others you not only gain the personal satisfaction of doing for others (providing a place to meet) but also letting others see a part of your life they may not see at church.

Make sure that everyone in your small group is invited and let everyone know they are welcome to bring a friend. E-mails, phone calls, or postcards are all great ways to let everyone know when, where, and a topic if there is going to be one for the meeting.

It's great if you can call everyone a day or two before to get an idea how many will be coming. If you feel you may be under pressure time wise to do this you can always seek out someone else in the group to help you with this. You should never feel 'stressed' over having a meeting at your home and feel close enough with other members to ask for help if needed.

If someone can not make it to the meeting make sure you find out why and add them to your prayer list. Illnesses, family commitments, traveling or any other of a long list may be why they can't attend but it's important when the group meets they pray for those not there as well.

You will want to decide if you are going to provide refreshments. Don't feel you have to put on a 7 course meal. You may want to simply have punch and cookies. A few others in the group can help with this. Or you may want to share a whole meal with your small group. Pot-luck is a terrific way to take the burden off from one person and everyone feel a part of the meal. Casserole, salad (or veggies), deserts, drinks, and don't forget plates, cups (glasses), and utensils (paper and plastic are great time savers and one person can provide these).

Once you have an idea of how many will be attending your meeting arrange for seating. If you're short of chairs don't be afraid to ask others in the small group if they have any folding chairs. It's always better to plan for more so if someone brings a guest unexpectedly that person is not made to feel uncomfortable when there is no place for them to sit.

Depending on how your small group is set up you may want to pick a topic of discussion or study. It's very helpful to everyone in the group if they know ahead of time what the topic will be, some may want to do a little bible study ahead of time. This makes discussion run much smoother and encourages more involvement by everyone.

If your group is going to study from a handout or worksheet make sure you have enough for everyone (just like with chairs a few extra never hurts) or ask someone else in the group to provide copies, just make sure you give them an idea of how many will be needed.

Needless to say the day of the small group meeting you will want to pick up your house (or down right clean it). If you're strapped for time or energy don't be afraid to ask someone to help you - first choice would naturally be someone in the small group but if not be sure to invite the person who helps to also attend the meeting.

Welcome people to your home and enjoy a glorious time of prayer, bible study, fellowship and sharing. More than likely everyone will thank you for inviting them into your home. Don't forget to thank them for coming!

More Tips:

*Our small group has grown to 16 members and only 3 don't have email so those 3 always get calls ahead. Those with email share a lot in between meetings also!

*A small group is very much an extended family. There have been times a couple in our group was short on money and it never fails someone in the group will say, "Don't worry about bringing anything we have it covered. Just bring yourself and your bible." Know what is going on with others in your group and do what you can to make this an enjoyable time not a strain.

*A small group is NOT a private club. It can be a great way to witness to others without being pushy. Others outside the group should always be welcomed, made to feel comfortable, included in the group, and invited to come back. This is how a small group grows!

*Again with knowing what is going on within your group be sure if there is someone who may not be able to attend because of transportation problems do your best to help them out by finding a ride. Don't feel like you have to be the one - check with others in the group who may be passing right by the stranded member's house.