Blog | 7 Creative Ideas for Approaching Church Small Groups
7 Creative Ideas for Approaching Church Small Groups
Small groups play a vital role in fostering community, deepening spiritual connections, and providing support within a church family. It’s easy for churches to fall into a rhythm with groups, offering the same recurring studies and breakouts based on age and gender. While there’s nothing wrong with consistency— especially if it’s serving your community!— your church has the creative opportunity to rethink how we approach small groups. If you’re interested in find new activities and points of connection to build groups around, read on.
Bible Study Groups:
Bible studies are common in many church communities, but there’s still an opportunity to approach studying the Bible in new ways.
Themed Studies: Dive into specific themes such as forgiveness, grace, or the miracles of Jesus. Choose study guides or biblical books that align with the interests and spiritual needs of your group.
Character Studies: Explore the lives of biblical figures like David, Esther, or Paul. Discuss their challenges, victories, and the lessons we can apply to our own lives.
Prayer Groups:
Prayer is a powerful part of the Christian walk, but something that can feel intimidating to many. Groups dedicated to praying with each other can be a wonderful way to grow that spiritual discipline and seek God on behalf of our communities and each other.
Prayer Walking Groups: Take your prayers outside the church walls. Gather at a local park or in different neighborhoods, praying for the community, schools, and individual needs.
Prayer Journaling Groups: Encourage members to keep prayer journals. Share entries during meetings, fostering a sense of vulnerability and unity through shared prayers.
Service and Outreach Groups:
It can be easy to let our personal relationship with God overshadow the Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Integrate service into your spiritual life with a group dedicated to community outreach.
Community Service Projects: Serve your local community by organizing volunteer opportunities. This could include food drives, clothing donations, or collaborating with local charities.
Missionary Support Groups: Adopt a missionary or a mission project and commit to supporting them through prayer, fundraising, or sending care packages.
Interest-Based Groups:
Friendship and community is an important function of the church. Activities and groups that aren’t explicitly spiritual can still be a healthy part of your congregations. Encourage members to get to know each other with groups based on shared interests.
Book Clubs: Choose Christian literature or books that encourage spiritual growth. Combine discussions with fellowship to create a well-rounded experience.
Fitness or Wellness Groups: Promote holistic well-being by incorporating physical activities like hiking, biking, or yoga, fostering both physical and spiritual health.
Creative Expression Groups:
God invites us to worship with the gifts we’ve been given. For those creatively inclined, groups that allow them to use their art to connect with and honor God can be extremely nourishing.
Art and Faith: Explore the connection between art and spirituality. Create a safe space for members to express their faith through various art forms, such as painting, poetry, or music.
Drama or Skit Groups: Bring biblical stories to life through short skits or dramas, allowing members to explore their creativity while engaging with scripture.
Life Stage Groups:
Nobody is immune to feeling alone in the unique stage of life they’re in. Forming groups around life stages can provide support that’s timely and relevant to what you’re going through in the moment.
Parenting Support: Connect parents to share the joys and challenges of raising children in a Christian environment. Discuss relevant topics and offer each other support and advice.
Young Adults or College Groups: Tailor discussions and activities to the unique needs and interests of young adults, helping them navigate faith in their specific life stage.
Study of Christian History and Theology:
Our faith has a storied history, much of which we aren’t taught on Sunday mornings or in school. Creating groups to explore this history and the history of theology can help enrich our faith and spark thoughtful conversations.
Church History: Delve into the rich history of Christianity, exploring key events, figures, and movements that have shaped the faith.
Theology Discussions: Engage in thoughtful discussions on theological topics, providing a space for members to deepen their understanding of Christian doctrine.
The beauty of small groups lies in their ability to cater to diverse interests and needs within a church community. By offering a variety of options, you can create an environment where individuals feel connected, supported, and spiritually nurtured. Whether through Bible studies, service projects, or creative expression, we hope that these small group ideas can help your church foster a sense of community that extends beyond the Sunday service. Embrace the diversity of your congregation, and watch as these small groups become powerful catalysts for spiritual growth and lasting friendships.
About the Author
Josh Tarp is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and worship leader from Minneapolis with over 15 years of experience in church & worship leadership. Josh serves as the Director of Marketing at Motion Worship, helping to write various blog posts, managing social media, designing graphics, and handling customer service.