Small Group Leader Essentials

What you’ll learn

• Facilitate warm, inclusive group discussion instead of lecturing
• Build safety and a clear confidentiality covenant in your group
• Handle the over-talker and draw out the silent member graciously
• Know the line between caring for someone and counseling them — and when to refer
• Raise an apprentice and multiply a healthy group

Course outline

1. 1

   You are a facilitator, not a lecturer

   5 min

2. 2

   Asking questions that open people up

   5 min

3. 3

   Building safety and a confidentiality covenant

   5 min

4. 4

   The over-talker and the silent member

   6 min

5. 5

   Care vs. counseling: knowing when to refer

   6 min

6. 6

   Multiplying a healthy group

   5 min

7. 7

   Putting it together: lead your group well

   4 min

Sources & further reading

• Lifeway Research — 3 Things a Small Group Leader is Not
• Lifeway Research — 8 Tips for Handling the Talker in Your Small Group
• Lifeway Research — 4 Traits of an Effective Small Group Discussion Question
• Smallgroups.com — Small Group Models & Multiplying Your Group
• Saddleback Church — Small Groups (HOST model and group health)
• Lifeway Research — Pastoral Care, Confidentiality, and Sexual Abuse