There is another excellent guide called the “Small Group Start Kit” (ISBN 978-0-8308-1073-4) that is an easy-to-read (64 pages) resource that gives you everything you need for the first meetings of a small group. Getting aquainted, setting expectations, study of scripture—-all in a step-by-step format that will get you started on the right foot.
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Q: We will need childcare. What is a good way to arrange childcare on a regular basis?

A: Here a few suggestions:

– We find it best to have the children cared for at a different location than the study. Often times one of the small group members lives near where you meet. A suggestion would be to have all the children cared for there by a sitter.
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–Often time’s members can rotate the responsibility of childcare from week to week.
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– Another alternative would be for each family that has children to contribute to the childcare cost.
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– If you hold your group at The Loft in Lake Mary, we have a childcare room on the premises that can be used.

Use this guide as you prepare to lead the group sessions:
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1. Ask God to help you understand and apply the passage to your own life. Unless this happens, you will not be prepared to lead others. Pray too for the various members of the group. Ask God to give you an enjoyable and profitable time together studying His Word.
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2. As you begin each study, read and reread the assigned Bible passage to familiarize yourself with what the author is saying. In the case of book studies, you may want to read through the entire book prior to the first study. This will give you a helpful overview of its contents.
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3. Carefully work through each question of the study. Spend time in meditation and reflection as you formulate your answers.
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5. Write your answers in the space provided in the study guide. This will help you to express your understanding of the passage clearly.
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6. It might help you to have a Bible dictionary handy. Use it to look up any unfamiliar words, names, or places.
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7. Once you have finished your own study of the passage, familiarize yourself with the leader’s notes for the study you are leading. These are designed to help you in several ways.
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     First, they tell you the purpose the study guide author had in mind while writing the study. Take time to think through how the study questions work together to accomplish that purpose.
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     Second, the notes provide you with additional background information or comments on some of the questions. This information can be useful if people have difficulty understanding or answering a question.
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     Third, the leader’s notes can alert you to potential problems you may encounter during the study.
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8. If you wish to remind yourself of anything mentioned in the leader’s notes, make a note to yourself below that question in the study.

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Based on LifeGuides Bible study resources

1. Begin the study on time. Open with prayer, asking God to help you understand and apply the passage.
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2. Be sure that everyone in the group has a study guide. Encourage them to prepare beforehand for each discussion by working through the questions in the guide.
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3. Encourage each participant to bring their Bibles to each study. If possible, have a few extra Bibles on hand in case someone forget’s theirs.
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4. At the beginning of your first time together, explain that these studies are meant to be discussions not lectures. Encourage the members of the group to participate. However, do not put pressure on those who may be hesitant to speak during the first few sessions.
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5. Read the introductory material at the beginning of the discussion. This will orient the group to the passage being studied.
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6. Read the passage aloud if you are studying one chapter or less. You may choose to do this yourself, or someone else may read if he or she has been asked to do so prior to the study. Longer passages may occasionally be read in parts at different times during the study. Some studies may cover several chapters.
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7. As you begin to ask the questions in this guide, keep these things in mind.
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             First, the questions are designed to be used just as they are written. If you wish, you may simply read them aloud to the group. Or you may prefer to express them in your own words. However, unnecessary rewording of the questions is not recommended.
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            Second, the questions are intended to guide the group toward understanding and applying the main idea of the passage. The author of the guide has stated his or her view of this central idea in the purpose of the study in the leader’s notes. You should try to understand how the passage expresses this idea and how the study questions work together to lead the group in that direction. There may be times when it is appropriate to deviate from the study guide. For example, a question may have already been answered. If so, move on to the next question. Or someone may raise an important question not covered in the guide. Take time to discuss it! The important thing is to use discretion.
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8. Avoid answering your own questions. If necessary, repeat or rephrase them until they are clearly understood. An eager group quickly becomes passive and silent if they think the leader will do most of the talking.
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9.    Don’t be afraid of silence. People may need time to think about the question before formulating their answers.
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10.    Don’t be content with just one answer. Ask, “What do the rest of you think?” or “Anything else?” until several people have given answers to the question.
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11.    Acknowledge all contributions. Try to be affirming whenever possible. Never reject an answer. If it is clearly wrong, ask “Which verse led you to that conclusion?” or again, “What do the rest of you think?”
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12.    Don’t expect every answer to be addressed to you, even though this will probably happen at first. As group members become more at ease, they will begin to truly interact with each other. This is one sign of a healthy discussion.
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13.    Don’t be afraid of controversy. It can be very stimulating. If you don’t resolve an issue completely, don’t be frustrated. Move on and keep it in mind for later. A subsequent study may solve the problem.
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14.    Stick to the passage under consideration. It should be the source for answering the questions. Discourage the group from unnecessary cross-referencing. Likewise, stick to the subject and avoid going off on tangents.
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15.    Periodically summarize what the group has said about the passage. This helps to draw together the various ideas mentioned and gives continuity to the study. But don’t preach.
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16.    Conclude your time together with conversational prayer. Be sure to ask God’s help to apply those things which you have learned in the study.
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17.    End on time.
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Based on LifeGuides Bible study resources

Based on the LifeGuide “How To Lead” study resource.

You will probably want to start your study with a dinner or small gathering to get to know each other and to discover peopl’s interest and needs. You can begin this by asking whether they would prefer to study a biblical book, a biblical character or a topic.
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To “Choosing a Study Guide“, click here.
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We have assembled some of our favorite group studies, most could also be used for individual study. Here is a list also of online places to purchase these studies :
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ChristianBook.com
Booksamillion.com
Amazon.com
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Here are some of the studies we recommend:
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Max Lucado: Insightful guides on the new Testament books as well as many topical studies.
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N.T. Wright: Guides to help understand the New Testament Scriptures from one of the worlds leading New Testament scholars.
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John Stott: One of the most world most respected Bible teachers leads a journey through the new testament using solid exposition * of key Scripture passages and inductive * study questions.
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LifeGuide Studies: One of the most popular Bible study series ever! These guides us an inductive * study approach with leader’s notes included- everything you need to lead a small group. Each guide includes approach questions – that help to get you thinking and inspire group discussion and application questions – that encourage you and your group to act on what you have learned.These guides provide solid biblical content and raise thought-provoking issues for individual or group benefit. Choose from studies on Old and New Testament books, character studies, topical studies.
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Christian Basics: Innovative guides based on insights found in contemporary classics of the faith covering the basics of being a believer and follower, commitment, priorities prayer and more. (6 session guides)

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If you feel as though you are a little disconnected on Sunday, or if you simply want to get to know people better, small groups are a perfect way for you to plant your feet in the church and feel more at home.
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Small groups are not just extracurricular activities, they are a part of the culture of a life-long walk with Christ.

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Jesus Himself was a part of a small group.  The twelve apostles were His friends, and confidantes.  We are created to be in relationships with one another!
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Small groups offer deeper experiences of Christian Community by emphasizing the fullness of shared journeys, shared joys, shared struggles, and shared growth.  This is an intimate place where love and service are given and received.
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Small groups are places to grow spiritually in worship, in prayer, in Bible study, and and a place to share life together.
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Below are some small groups forming. If you would like more information on any of these groups, please contact the leaders of that group:
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NOTE: “Specific Study” is a group that is meeting for a specific study. “Ongoing Study” is a group that meets on a regular ongoing basis.
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So you want to lead a small group Bible study? But you’re wondering, “What do I do? What will I teach?  Can I really do this?” Sure you can!
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The success of any small group starts with the leader. Effective leaders are not teachers or lecturers. They are facilitators and catalysts whose primary job is to get people to interact with each other.
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If you are interested in leading an official small group at LifePoint, below is an outline and the starting point as well as some guides for leading small groups:
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FIRST: If you are new to leading a small group or if you want to brush up on some techniques, thoughts and suggestions, click on the links below:
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Leading_the_study                      Preparing_to_lead

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.SECOND: Start recruiting members. This is something that has to be done by you, the leader. Once step three is completed below, LifePoint will assist you by posting and making known your small group, however, experience shows us that it is primarily your recruiting efforts that will form the small group.
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THIRD: Download, fill out and submit the “Small Group Request” form and the “Small Group Statement of Understanding” form. Once we receive this form and review it, we will be able to effectively assist in promoting your small group.

Small Group Request
Statement of Understanding

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FOURTH: Keep recruiting. Once you find 3-5 individuals to join your small group you are ready to get started!
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FIFTH: Start to prepare for your group by ordering the study guides and collecting the funds to pay for the guides.
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FINALLY: Day one of your small group! You’re there!
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Got questions? View our FAQ here or contact Pastor Jan by email. We’re here to help your group be successful and fun!

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Suggestions for Group Members

1. Come to the study prepared. Follow the suggestions for individual study mentioned above. You will find that careful preparation will greatly enrich your time spent in group discussion.
2. Be willing to participate in the discussion. The leader of your group will not be lecturing. Instead, she or he will be asking the questions found in this guide and encouraging the members of the group to discuss what they have learned.
3. Stick to the topic being discussed. These studies focus on a particular passage of Scripture. Only rarely should you refer to other portions of the Bible or outside sources. This allows for everyone to participate on equal ground and for in-depth study.
4. Be sensitive to the other members of the group. Listen attentively when they describe what they have learned. You may be surprised by their insights! Each question assumes a variety of answers. Many questions do not have “right” answers, particularly questions that aim at meaning or application. Instead the questions push us to explorethe passage more thoroughly. When possible, link what you say to the comments of others. Also, be affirming whenever you can. This will encourage some of the more hesitant members of the group to participate.
5. Be careful not to dominate the discussion. We are sometimes so eager to express our thoughts that we leave too little opportunity for others to respond. By all means participate! But allow others to also.
6. Expect God to teach you through the passage being discussed and through the other members of the group. Pray that you will have an enjoyable and profitable time together, but also that as a result of the study you will find ways that you can take action individually and/or as a group.
7. It will be helpful for groups to follow a few basic guidelines. These guidelines, which you may wish to adapt to your situation, should be read at the beginning of the first session.

GUIDELINES

• Anything said in the group is considered confidential and will not be discussed outside the group unless specific permission is given to do so.
• We will provide time for each person present to talk if he or she feels comfortable doing so.
• We will talk about ourselves and our own situations, avoiding conversation about other people.
• We will listen attentively to each other.
• We will be very cautious about giving advice.