Bored with your small group? Here’s how to make it brilliant

Whether you’re a super fan or a sceptic, small groups are essential for your spiritual growth. Here’s how you can get the most out of them.

I’ve had a lot of conversations with people about small groups. Opinions range wildly, from: “It’s the highlight of my week; I grow so much there”, to: “If I’ve run out of excuses, I’ll pop along to keep up appearances…and to assuage my guilt”, to a Joshua Harris-esque: “I kissed small groups goodbye a looong time ago!”

Before we go any further, let me be clear that I am no sideline cynic. Small groups have enormous potential to help us grow and change. I’ve sunk a lot of time and energy into participating in small groups, leading them, creating resources for them and researching the experiences of group leaders and members.