10 Ideas for a Great First Small Group

By Mark Howell

Practical tips from Mark Howell on how to keep your first-timers coming back for more.

1. Be sure and refer to the The ABCs of a Great Start for Your Connection Group for important tips on making sure your group members come to the meeting.
2. Plenty of food goes a long way in making your first meeting a relaxed time together.  But…make it easy for everyone to bring something.  You might be tempted to supply it all, but don’t.  Asking each person to bring something to the first meeting helps ensure turnout.
3. Encourage everyone to come a little early and plan on “grabbing a bite together.”  There isn’t a one-size-fits-all prescription, but allow at least 30 minutes hangout and eat together time (i.e., if you’re meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., plan on hanging out until 7:30 p.m.).
4. It’s a good idea to have an icebreaker or two in your pocket for the hangout time.  While it definitely helps to have a plate with food on it and a cup with something to drink in it, it’s still a little unnerving for many to have first conversations.  Here are a few “while we’re eating questions”: Where did you grow up?  If you could live anywhere, where would you live?  Why?
5. Give everyone a 5-minute warning that “we’re about to move into the living room and get started.”  When you get settled, let everyone know that “we’re just going to use tonight as a way of getting to know each other a little better.”
6. This is a great time to ask a few “get-to-know-me” questions.

• Would you describe yourself as more of an extrovert or an introvert?  Give an example.
• Would you describe yourself as a structured, “just settle it” kind of person?  Or more of a play it by ear type?
• Are you a hugger?  Or a non-hugger?

7. How about a little more info?

• What motivated you to sign up for this group?
• What are you most hopeful you’ll gain as a result of being in the group?
• What are you most afraid of (in terms of the group)?

8. This is a great time to talk over the values and expectations of your group.  If your church provides an agreement or covenant, use that.  No commitments required.  Nobody’s signing anything.  Just a good way to get values and expectations on the table.  Simply read over the values and reconfirm expectations.
9. Distribute copies of the study you will begin at your next meeting.  Collect any payment that your group members have ready.  Ask any who were unprepared to bring payment next time (Important: If there is anyone in your group that cannot afford to pay, have a way to help.)
10. Pray to close the meeting.  Make it really simple.  Ask, “Is there anything we can be praying about for you personally?  There may be times when we pray for those who aren’t part of the group, but today, let’s keep prayer requests focused on just group members.”  Write down any prayer requests.  Close with a very simple prayer.  

Mark Howell serves as Pastor of Communities at Canyon Ridge Christian Church in Las Vegas, NV. He founded SmallGroupResources.net, offering consulting and coaching services to help churches across North America launch, build and sustain healthy small group ministries. He spent four years on the consulting staff at Lifetogether and often contributes to ministry periodicals such as the Pastor's Ministry Toolbox and ChurchCentral.com. More from Mark Howell or visit Mark at http://www.MarkHowellLive.com