Small Group Resource
>SM Small Group Guide
A simple guide for leading healthy, Christ-centered small groups using MTSM journals, discussion questions, discipleship resources, and Bible reading plans.
Download the PDF Guide →Why This Guide Exists
Leading a small group can feel intimidating. Many people wonder if they know enough, can answer every question, or are qualified to guide others through Scripture.
This guide was created to make small group leadership simple, clear, and approachable. You do not have to be a professional teacher to lead a meaningful group. You simply need to open God’s Word, love people well, guide honest conversation, and help others take their next step with Jesus.
A healthy small group is not about perfection. It is about helping people follow Jesus together.
The Goal of a Small Group
The goal of a healthy small group is not simply to complete a lesson or answer every question.
Healthy groups help people love God, connect with others, serve others, and share the gospel.
What’s Included in the Guide?
Before the Group Meets
Simple preparation steps for prayer, reading, question selection, and creating a welcoming environment.
Suggested Weekly Flow
A flexible 1–1.5 hour meeting rhythm for connection, prayer, Scripture discussion, Heart Check questions, and closing prayer.
Leader Tips
Practical reminders for encouraging participation, guiding discussion, staying focused, and leaving room for prayer.
Better Questions
Helpful examples of open-ended questions that move people from information to reflection and application.
Heart Check Guidance
How to use accountability questions with grace, humility, confidentiality, encouragement, and prayer.
Difficult Conversations
Simple help for moments when someone dominates, silence happens, disagreement arises, or someone shares a struggle.
How to Facilitate a Healthy Small Group
1. Prepare Before You Lead
Before the group meets, pray for your people by name. Read the assigned passage. Review the discussion questions. Choose the questions that will best serve your group instead of trying to cover everything.
Good preparation does not mean having all the answers. It means being ready to guide people toward Scripture, application, and prayer.
2. Guide the Conversation
Your role is to facilitate, not dominate. Ask good questions. Invite people to share. Encourage quieter members without forcing them. Gently redirect conversations that drift too far from the passage.
The goal is not to impress people with what you know. The goal is to help people engage God’s Word together.
3. Focus on Scripture and Application
Healthy groups do more than talk about Bible facts. They ask, “What does this passage teach us about God? What does it show us about Jesus? What is God calling us to believe, obey, confess, or change?”
Application helps the group move from hearing the Word to living the Word.
4. Use Heart Check Questions Wisely
Heart Check questions are designed to help the group move from information into honest discipleship. Use them with grace, humility, and confidentiality.
Accountability should not feel like shame. It should feel like brothers and sisters helping one another follow Jesus.
5. Leave Room for Prayer
Do not let discussion take all the time. Leave room for prayer requests, encouragement, confession when appropriate, and asking God to help the group obey what He has shown them in His Word.
Suggested Weekly Group Flow
Use this as a flexible guide for a 1–1.5 hour weekly gathering. Adjust as needed for your group.
Connect and catch up with one another.
Open in prayer and invite God to use His Word.
Share insights from the readings, PETS notes, journal reflections, and Scripture memory verses if your group is practicing Scripture memory.
Discuss selected discussion questions together.
Use Heart Check questions for accountability, encouragement, and prayer.
Share prayer requests and close in prayer.
Printable Resource
Download the >SM Small Group Guide
Use the printable guide for small group leaders, discipleship group facilitators, Sunday School teachers, one-on-one discipleship, or anyone helping others study Scripture together.
Download PDF Guide →Final Encouragement
You do not need to be a professional teacher to lead a meaningful small group. God often uses ordinary believers who are willing to open His Word, love people well, and point others toward Jesus.
Healthy groups are not about perfection. They are about helping people take steady steps toward Jesus together.