Small Group Leaders and Ministry Blog

7 Apologetics Bible Studies Defend Faith Non-Traditionally

This collection on apologetics departs from the traditional objection-handling approach to defending our faith. Whether we’re journeying with a former Muslim, or looking through the lens of a filmmaker, or talking about a classic Christian book, or watching a discussion amongst avowed nonbelievers, these studies deliver intriguing perspectives, compelling arguments, and inspiration to improve upon our traditional approach to defending our faith.

Create a Community Through your Small Group Ministry

Unlocking honest dialogue is the most important, and also one of the hardest, things a small group leader does. Everyone comes into things carrying baggage or or burdens that they are worried about showing or telling others, but allowing people to share their thoughts and feelings in an open and honest way, without judgement or shame, is the best way to create a strong community in your small group ministry.

3 ways to create disciple-making small groups

Creating small groups in your church can help members grow spiritually and build a sense of community. It will empower them to share their faith with others and will connect them to members throughout your church on a deeper level. Let's delve into these practical strategies and discover how they can breathe new life into your church's small group ministry.

Working with Teachable Moments

Sometimes, however, something happens in the group that breaks everyone free from these regular patterns—moments that pull the group away from its routine and into something different.

This is when group members often experience a jump of some kind. Relationships solidify quickly into a deeper bond. Something clicks in a person’s mind that enables them to truly understand and apply a doctrinal truth. Someone experiences conviction about an area of sin and confesses it openly.

I refer to these times as “teachable moments.”

Women’s Small Groups — It’s Where Women Flourish in Every Season

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow wicked advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. But they delight in doing everything ...

5 Great Ways to Develop Leaders for Your Small Group Ministry

Finding leaders who are committed to teaching God's Word, championing ministry, and reaching people in a small group can be challenging, but here are five ways to help you develop leaders within your small group ministry.

Young Adult Bible Study: Where Life Gets Figured Out

Young adults today are facing more challenges and pressures than ever before. And that’s not just a cliché. In the face of such complexities, Bible studies for young adults can ...

The Power of a Mens Bible Study: It’s Where Men Find Out They’re Not Alone

To understand why men need to be part of a men’s Bible study, just look to R.T. Phillips. He was president of the Christian men's movement Promise Keepers during its ...

Five Reasons Your Church Needs a Small Group Ministry

Small group Bible studies play an essential role in the life of any church. The idea is simple, it takes a large group of people (the church) and connects people within that large group to other members of the congregation where they can create deeper, more meaningful relationships. Find out 5 reasons your church should have a small group ministry.

Jesus and Women Bible Study Watch List

We can learn so much from how Jesus valued and treated women! Let’s study Jesus’ interactions with seven women in these studies by women, for women.

5 Verses + 5 Bible Studies for Black History Month

February is Black History Month in the United States, when we focus on the contributions people of African descent have made to this country. You can embark on a personal Bible study for Black History Month, or lead your church or small group to collectively understand the plight of a people made in God’s image, and acknowledge God’s goodness at work in their remarkable achievements. To help guide the conversations of a church group, here are five Bible verses about diversity, justice, and equality that can help frame the discussion, then five Bible studies to help you think more deeply about the important principles Black History Month spotlights.

Top Video Bible Studies for Easter on the Life of Jesus, His Death, and Resurrection

The Easter season is a special time of the year to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us, and to be thankful for the gift of grace and salvation he ...

Being Unoffendable: The Ridiculous Idea

We won’t often admit this, but we like being angry. We don’t like what caused the anger, to be sure; we just like thinking we’ve “got” something on someone. So-and-so did something wrong, sometimes horribly wrong, and anger offers us a sense of moral superiority.

That’s why we call it “righteous anger,” after all. It’s moral and good, we want to think.

But inconveniently, there’s this proverb that says, “You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons” (Prov. 16:2 NCV).

Set and Reach Your 2023 Bible Study Goals with This Planner

Why do so many resolutions fail after the first couple of weeks? Often, it’s because of a lack of planning, accountability, and commitment…and because we’ve left God out of the solution!

    What if this year you made a commitment to your goals by engaging in a Bible study that will help you?

    Start by downloading our free Bible Study Goals Planner!

    Study Gateway’s Top 10 Bible Studies for 2022

    At StudyGateway.com, the world's leading subscription service for streaming video Bible studies, 2022 has been a very exciting year for new Bible studies! Of the top ten most-watched studies of ...

    In the Beginning...

    The first study in The Jesus Bible Study Series, Beginnings, is designed to usher you through the first act of God’s story, which is revealed most fully in the opening two chapters of the book of Genesis. Later biblical authors also wrote about God’s creation and the purposes behind his work, so we will pull from those portions of Scripture as well as we go along.

    Free Resources

    Using How (not) to Save the World with your church or small group?

    Using How (not) to Save the World with your church or small group?

    Here are some tools to help: 

    The Small Group Tool Kit includes two mobile-friendly invitation cards, reflection cards to enhance your small  group experience, and a worship song playlist curated by Hosanna Wong that can beplayed during small group meetings or personal Bible study time. 

    The Church Tool Kit includes a downloadable poster, bulletininsert, invitation card, and Power Point slide.

    Is your church talking about anxiety, depression and mental health issues? You should be.

    Is your church talking about anxiety, depression and mental health issues? You should be.

    Shawn Johnson, lead pastor of Red Rocks Church, gives a
    searingly honest portrait of anxiety and depression and shows readers how to fight back and live free. He also has put together three free tools pastors can use to help their congregation have a productive conversation around mental health, including a discussion guide, sermon notes and key Scripture verses.