Small Group Leader Resource Guide

Small groups have one simple purpose — for people to build life-giving relationships so that we can experience the life that God has created us to live. 

At Heartland, we help people to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover their Purpose, and Make a Difference. Small Groups are the Find Freedom component of this mission. God wants every one of us to experience freedom while on this earth, and He uses people to accomplish that freedom.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  

James 5:16

We go to God for forgiveness, but
we have to go to people for freedom.
It’s God’s design!

We believe life change happens in the context
of relationships. Meaningful relationships can be hard to find, and Small Groups exist to make life-changing relationships relevant and accessible to you. 

 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Why Small Groups Exist

We gather in Small Groups to build community and care for people. Heartland Church is a church of Small Groups, not a church with Small Groups. 

We base our Small Group model on the early church as described in the Bible in the book of Acts. In Acts, you can read about the tremendous growth of the first church in Jerusalem, where small group meetings in homes helped lay the foundation. 

We believe that each small group should provide people with these three key components: Connect, Protect, Grow

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.  Acts 5:42 

A place to connect

We were not made to do life alone. God created us for community, and Small Groups provide a place to connect with others, share life, and grow in faith together. 

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.  1 Corinthians 9:22 TLB 

A place to protect

It is through life together that our problems become smaller, and God uses others to bring support and encouragement to our lives. Small Groups become a place where others don’t just know your name but care about what is happening in your life and want to support you in your spiritual journey. 

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 NLT 

A place to grow

We believe every person is created with God-given potential to make a difference in the world. Small Groups are a place you can grow with others to become more like Jesus and reach the potential God has put inside you. 

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.  Proverbs 27:17 

What can a small group look like? 

Your Life is Your Group 

We use a free market approach to Small Groups. This means we want people to gather together based on the things they enjoy and are important to them. Essentially, the things you are already doing in your life are the things that can make up your Small Group! Free market leaders form their group around their gifts or interests. 

 From sports groups to lunch groups, mom groups to student groups, Bible study groups to creative arts groups, our groups are as varied as we are. 

How to Start a Small Group

  1. Ask God for direction about what group to lead and who to invite. 

  2. Once you decide on a topic or activity for your group, choose a place and time to meet. 

  3. Register your group in the Online Small Groups Directory at heartlandchurch.com/groups so people can find it and contact you to attend. 

  4. Invite people you know or meet to come check out your group. 

  5. Pray for God to do great things through your Small Group. 

Preparing for Your Group Meetings 

  1. Send a message to group members reminding them about the first meeting. 

  2. Arrive early to set up a welcoming environment. 

  3. Consider having name tags available to help everyone learn names for the first few weeks. 

Conversations 

Here are a few conversation starters to help get people talking as your group gets to know each other: 

  • What are your hobbies? 

  • What are you looking forward to this year? 

  • What are you hoping to get out of this Small Group? 

Your Role as a Small Group Leader 

The primary role of a Small Group Leader is to help group members take next steps in their walk with God. Remember: Connect, Protect, Grow!  

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;  Proverbs 27:23 

People in your group will be at different places in their spiritual lives and each person will have different next steps to take. Here is a guide of some next steps you can help people take: 

  • Start attending Sunday services 

  • Start reading the Bible regularly 

  • Start praying regularly 

  • Be water baptized 

  • Complete the Growth Track 

  • Join the Dream Team 

  • Start tithing 

  • Invite a friend or neighbor to church or a Small Group 

  • Attend a Small Group Training to become a Small Group Leader 

God has a part for all of us to play in the church, and Small Group Leaders come alongside the pastors and staff of Heartland to help care for people.

The Importance of Prayer 

Prayer is a foundation of our church,
and it is important for your Small Group. 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

How to Pray for Your Group 

  • Pray for any requests group members share. 

  • Ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit in your group. 

  • Pray that God will open people’s hearts to hear His truth. 

  • Pray for authentic community to develop. 

  • Pray for wisdom and strength to lead your group well. 

  • Common Questions

    Check out an FAQ about leading a small group!

    Click Here

  • Small Group Leader Form

    Complete the Honor Code. Leadership Commitment, Abuse Policy, Acknowledgment

    Complete Here

Group Structure

Groups meet throughout the year in three semesters. Groups meet weekly during each semester.  Groups meet in a variety of places like homes, parks, restaurants, coffee shops and office buildings.  New groups start every semester making it easy to build community and enjoy different types of groups. 

No matter what your group meets about, each meeting should be made up of four things: 

Casual Fellowship
A laid-back time for group members to talk and get to know each other. 

Activity or Discussion
This will vary based on what kind of group you’re leading. It could be an activity like Frisbee or outreach or a discussion about a book or Sunday message. 

Prayer 
Ask for prayer requests from group members and pray at the beginning and/or the end of each group meeting. 

Spiritual Component 
This is what differentiates your Small Group from your neighborhood pot-luck or pitch-in. Whether it’s through activities or discussion, always find a way to include the Word of God. This can be as simple as sharing something God is teaching you with the group or talking about a verse you read that week. 

Small Groups are not a place for: 
Business 
Offerings 
Unapproved materials or speakers 
Controversial topics 

How to Create Good Group Dynamics 

Set expectations. 

A key to helping people feel comfortable in your group is to let them know what to expect. Take time to share how the group will flow from week to week. This can include things like explaining the times you will begin and end the group, how discussion or group activities will happen, and how group members can share prayer requests or best engage in the group. 

Follow the 70-30 rule. 

Give the members of your group room to speak up instead of doing all the talking yourself. About 70% of talking should come from members and 30% from the leader.  

Keep the discussion positive. 

If a conversation takes a negative or destructive turn, guide it back to a healthy place. If someone needs to talk about a sensitive or complex issue, you can follow up with them after the group or call your Coach to help you respond well. 

Keep the conversation relevant to everyone. 

Remember people in your group will be at different places in their spiritual journey. Be thoughtful when you talk about spiritual concepts or church terms that might be unfamiliar to new Christians or new church-goers. 

Respect boundaries. 

Men should minister to men, and women should minister to women. A couple may minister to a single person. We want to maintain integrity and purity in our Small Groups. These boundaries will help protect the leaders and group members from entering into an uncomfortable or inappropriate situation. 

Stay Connected 

Throughout the semester, respond to your Coach and the Small Groups team about group attendance, potential new Small Group Leaders, and how members are taking next steps. 

Leadership Support 

As a Small Group Leader, you are never alone in creating community. We have pastors, staff, and the Small Groups Team who are all working alongside you to invest in great Small Groups at Heartland. 

Your Coach 

As a Small Group Leader, you have a Coach paired with you to help as you need support throughout the semester.  

Your Coach’s number one priority is to pray for you daily. Reach out to your Coach if you have a need, prayer request, or concern.