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Planning: Burning Questions

Please email BuildingSmallGroups@ChristianityToday.com with your question, and we'll try to answer it for you in the next few weeks.

For Small Group Leaders:

• How do we ensure that our small group isn't always racing against the clock?
• What's a non-threatening method I can use to challenge small group members to evangelize?
• Our small group meetings are running long. Ideally, how much time should we schedule for spiritual partners to meet?
• During a study, sometimes I don't know how to respond when people share deep pains or have a problem with a particular passage. As a leader, I feel like I should have all the answers—but I don't.
• Our church's small groups just finished 40 Days of Purpose, and we don't know which curriculum to use next. How do we ensure that our small groups maintain momentum?
• Our small group recently participated in a mission project together, and we grew as a group. What else can we do to grow deeper together?
• As a leader, when controversies arise, I clam up because I don't want to offend anyone. What should I do?
• I'd like to host—and lead—a small group. How do I go about getting people to be in my group?
• How do we go about making sure the groups are really meaningful for participants?
• What should we do with children while adults are meeting?
• What if a member wants to move to another group because the present group doesn't "fit?"
• How do you handle group members who don't contribute because they feel that others in the group are more spiritual?
• I have a very strong personality. Am I fit to be a small group leader?
• How long should the average small group meeting last?
• How can I be a more effective leader?
• Who should I invite to my new small group?
• General Small Group FAQ

For Pastors:

• Our apprentice leader model is failing to create new leaders. What model works?
• We want to expand our small group ministry, where do we start?
• How do I launch a small group ministry?
• How do I go about launching a small group ministry in a traditional or "Sunday School" church?
• When do I start small groups or a small group ministry?
• How do I effectively assimilate church attendees into groups?
• Where do I find leaders?
• We'd like to start a small group ministry at our church. When's the best time of year to do this?
• One of our goals for the new year is to start a small group ministry. What's the first step in going about this?
• As a pastor, how can I effectively assimilate church attendees into small groups?
• My church is getting ready to launch our small group ministry. How do I equip and develop my leaders in time for the start?
• I'm having trouble differentiating between who would make a good leader and who'd make an effective small group champion. Is there a model I can follow?
• We've had a small group ministry for some time now, but we're looking to grow the number of groups. How do we do this?
• How can the attrition rate of leaders be minimized?
• How do I launch a small group ministry in a traditional or Sunday school-focused church?
• How do I effectively assimilate church attendees into groups?
• What's the best way to start a new group with the optimum number?
• We're not ready to launch a small group ministry in our church but want to bring the philosophy to our Sunday school program. How do we do that?
• Is it reckless to have a host—whose spiritual life you know little about—lead a small group rather than a trained spiritual leader?

For Small Group Members:

• Our women's small groups coach recently told us she's burnt-out and thinking of resigning. This is our second coach in two years, and we don't want to lose her. Any advice?
• How do we assimilate people who want to be part of a small group but don't know where they would fit best?
• Our prayer time often wanders, especially when individuals share prayer requests. How can we make our prayer time meaningful as well as focused?
• Our small group recently participated in a mission project together, and we grew as a group. What else can we do to grow deeper together?
• My spiritual partner and I want to grow in the area of service. How do we begin?

For Youth Leaders:

• We've got a booming youth ministry at our church and would like to make small groups a part of that. One concern I have is finding enough adults to lead the groups. Is it necessary for an adult to lead each group?

For Small Group Champion:

• Our church's small groups just finished 40 Days of Purpose, and we don't know which curriculum to use next. How do we ensure that our small groups maintain momentum?
• It doesn't seem like our senior pastor supports our small group ministry. What can I do?
• We want to expand our small group ministry, where do we start?

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