If you’ve been around a church for any amount of time, you’ve probably come across the term “small group.” What do you picture when you hear this word? You might picture people in a coffee shop with their Bibles open. Or a group of friends that looks too good to be true.
You might find yourself asking questions like What is a church small group, and why should I join one? If you’re honest, your questions might even sound something like, What if I join a church small group, and everybody is weird? Am I stuck with them forever?
These are all really good questions—let’s talk about them.
What Are Church Small Groups?
Church small groups are a crucial way people find community, accountability, and spiritual growth within a larger church context. When you attend your local church on a weekend or for any other weekly gathering, you’ll often find yourself in a crowd. This can make it challenging to feel seen and known by the people you’re around.
Church small groups offer a way for people to be known by others in their church. They provide a place for you to talk about what you’re learning through weekly sermon teachings, share what you’re learning as you read the Bible, and find ways to become more like Jesus together.
What Do Small Groups Do?
What these groups look like often varies based on a number of factors.
There’s usually a small group leader who handles communication, facilitating good discussions, and, if it’s a discipleship small group, choosing what biblical topics the group studies or learns about together.
Often, small groups include a Bible study, but not always! Some small groups focus on certain goals like serving their local community, discussing the most recent sermon from their church, or getting involved in evangelism efforts.
Small groups can also be focused on developing friendships. That might look like participating in a shared activity (like board games or sports) or growing together through a specific season of life (like being newly married or parenting teenagers).
So are small groups just Christian social clubs? No, because small groups exist to help people find friends, grow spiritually, and live like Jesus. They’re not just a place to hang out—they're a place of intentional investment that hopefully leads small group members to lasting spiritual growth.
Biblical Examples of Small Groups
In the Bible, we can find several examples of Jesus' followers gathering together. During His three-year ministry, Jesus had a close group of friends—His 12 disciples, who He did life with. These men traveled together, ate meals together, and learned together.
Small groups of believers gathering together took off as the early church got its start, which we can read about in Acts 2. At this point in the biblical narrative, Jesus had ascended to heaven after His resurrection, leaving believers with the Holy Spirit and the command to spread the gospel.
Acts 2:42 tells us these Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This wasn’t a one-time occurrence. Acts goes on to say:
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47 NIV
In each of these Scriptures, we see the value of believers being with one another for encouragement in difficult times, celebration in good times, and enjoying life together.
Why Should You Join a Small Group?
The early church didn’t just believe in Jesus—they lived out their faith together, and the impact was undeniable. Their gatherings strengthened their faith and inspired the people around them to seek Jesus. The same thing happens when we surround ourselves with people who encourage us, challenge us, and walk with us in our faith.
The writer of Hebrews says:
... let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another ... Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
You weren’t meant to do life alone.
You weren’t meant to do life alone. A small group isn’t just a meeting—it’s a place to be known, to grow in your faith, and to find the encouragement you need to keep going.
In a culture that’s growing increasingly individualistic, it can feel weird or uncomfortable to find regular time to meet with other Christians. But Scripture encourages us to not give up meeting together. One practical way we stay connected is through small groups.
How to Find the Right Small Group for You
When you make the decision to find a small group, figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips for finding the right group for you.
1. Ask Yourself: What Are You Looking For?
There are endless types of groups you might consider joining. Before you start your search, spend time reflecting on what you’re hoping to learn or experience. A few additional questions you could ask yourself might be:
- Am I hoping for a discipleship group or a more social group?
- Do I prefer a group that’s the same gender as me?
- What day, time, and location would work best with my schedule?
- How frequently do I want to meet with my small group?
- Do I want a small group that allows kids to come, too?
2. Let Someone Know You’re Interested
Once you know what you’re looking for, have a conversation with someone at your church. It could be a pastor, a church volunteer, or even a friend. They will probably ask you more questions about what you’re looking for and then help get you connected with some groups.
3. Check Out Your Church’s Website
Some churches have small group information available online. This can include a description of the groups available at the church, including what their time together looks like, how often they meet, and other unique details. Looking over this information can help you find options that work with your schedule while also giving you an idea of what to expect.
4. Can’t Find a Local Small Group? Try an Online Small Group
If can’t find a local church with a small group ministry, then check out Life.Church’s online small groups (called LifeGroups). These groups are made up of people from all over the world. Joining an online small group is a great way for you to find community no matter where you live!
What If You Don’t Find the Perfect Fit Right Away?
As you try a new small group, it might take time for you to identify if it’s the right fit for you. It might be a few weeks before you get to know the group members, get a sense of the group’s rhythms and behaviors, and figure out what a normal time together looks like.
If a group doesn’t feel like the right fit, consider if it’s because of logistics (like when or where they meet), or if it’s more about the people and what you do together as a group. If it’s because of logistics, it might be wise to find a small group that’s easier for your schedule so you can stay consistent.
Wisdom and prayer will help you determine if a small group is right for you, so keep talking about your search with a pastor or friend you trust. It’s okay, and even normal, to try a few groups before finding one that works for you. Each experience will help you better identify what you’re looking for in a small group.
Just remember, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” group. Small groups are made up of imperfect people trying their best to follow Jesus, love God, and love one another.
Taking the Next Step
If you don’t have a regular church home or a place to find small groups near you, I’d love for you to check out the small groups at Life.Church!
We call them LifeGroups, and they’re a place for people to intentionally share their lives with others, grow spiritually together, and encourage each other through the highs and lows of life.
If you live near a Life.Church location, you might be able to find a group that meets in person near you. Or you can check out our groups that meet virtually across the globe. You can learn more about LifeGroups here.
A Prayer for Your Future Small Group
It takes a bold step of faith to start looking for a small group. Regardless of how you’re feeling as you take this step, here’s a prayer you can use as you begin looking.
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me to need other people. I know You modeled the value of small groups through the way Jesus stayed close to His 12 disciples during His time on Earth. I’m ready to find a small group so I can know You and others better. Please guide my steps and point me in the right direction as I find people to do life with. In Jesus’ name, amen.