Every week, across the world, church people gather during the week for a small group Bible study. And with it, the good, the bad, and the ugly happen too.
Many groups function well, and some others, perhaps not as much. We’ve all been in a group where awkward silence, over-sharing, or lack of leadership was ever-present. Even if those undesired aspects occur, small groups help grow community and make the bigger church smaller. Here are eight reasons your small group Bible study isn’t thriving and solutions to help.
1. You might be missing a purpose
Small groups have existed for such a long time that their purpose is sometimes forgotten. They don’t exist just “because we’ve always had them” nor for the simple fact that “everyone does it.” The book of Acts gives us an excellent rendition of the purpose of such gatherings. “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals and to prayer… They worshiped together at the Temple… met in homes for the Lord’s Supper and shared their meals with great joy and generosity” (Acts 2:42, 46 NLT).
In the New Testament, small groups were a time to study, fellowship, eat, and pray. When a group lacks its original purpose, its God-given “Why,” and its reason to exist, it will undoubtedly be missing not only the point but many of its essential components. And without purpose and direction, people will run wild, cast off restraints, and wander (Proverbs 29:18).
2. You might be missing community
Life is to be lived in community. No man, woman, or child is meant to be an island. “Being socially connected is our brain’s lifelong passion,” said Lieberman, a professor of psychology at UCLA (https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/we-are-hard-wired-to-be-social-248746). We are made to connect, relate and create bonds with others.
Yet, many small groups meet to do a Bible study. Period. But getting together, even for studying, is about, well, getting together! Some of the best groups gather with the thought that building community in a smaller setting allows for relationships to be built, nurtured, and grown.
3. You might be missing friendships
If finding the right group is not easy, we can all agree that life is also very hard. And doing it alone, even harder. Your church members want to find people that they can relate and identify to. They want friends and not only virtual ones. The American Psychological Association often studies the importance of friendships and relationships. It even claims, “The importance of strong social connections throughout life is gaining scientific clout, having been linked with such benefits as a greater pain tolerance, a stronger immune system, and a lower risk of depression and early death.” (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/01/cover-friends) .
Isn’t this what the Bible states when it talks about being together (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12), about friendship in times of trouble (Proverbs 18:24)? The development of friendship may just be the missing component in your small group Bible Study.
4. You might be missing food
For millennia, humans have gathered around a good meal. It is part of the human experience. We have celebrated after a good hunting season. We have feasted at the time of harvest. We tailgate before a big game, and we grill for our families. Humans love a good agape feast. The first disciples assembled to break bread and take communion. In New Testament words, it’s called koinonia or fellowship. And during those times of fellowship, meals were part of the deal.
Many small groups forget the effect of food at a get-together. Food demonstrates how hospitality, which in turn, opens up communication and connection. It even helps kids and adults develop social skills. It has many benefits.
You definitely do not need to provide a 5-course meal! Tacos, chips, or whatever suits the group will get everybody going, talking, and connecting.
5. You might be missing fun
The Bible is a serious book in its context: it talks about the reality of heaven and hell, the necessity of salvation for the human race, Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. It is not a comic book. But relationships are fun. And if you want to learn, fun makes it easier. Some small group Bible studies take themselves so seriously they forget that even Jesus took time to relax with his disciples.
Fun isn’t necessarily only games and parties. Fun can and should be part of one’s growth, life experience. Fun adds many benefits to an individual and a group of people.
It lowers stress levels as you liberate serotonin, the hormone of pleasure, and lessens concentrations of cortisol, the stress hormone. And a less stressed-out person will boost their energy level. The Bible is clear about the pros of joy when it says, “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NASB).
All this to say that if your small group is missing some fun, it’s missing out on growth and connection opportunities.
6. You might be missing faith in action
Many groups grow deeper in their knowledge of Christ and the Scriptures. And that would certainly be an expected outcome of Bible STUDY. Yet, James clearly enounces that true faith and religion is “caring for orphans and widows in their distress …” (1:27 NLT). He even goes on to say that “faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].” (2:17 AMP). An effective, spiritually growing Bible study group would sincerely be willing to be active in its faith, in its actions.
Imagine if your group decided to serve the community regularly – help out at the food shelter, paint the walls of an orphanage, or even visit the elderly – now that would be a small group that is not missing faith or action.
7. You might be missing Bible content!!
This one seems a little counterintuitive yet, so many small group Bible studies focus on opinions about their Bible study more than what it’s actually trying to teach them. Who hasn’t heard the dreaded “In my opinion, the Bible….” or “I think this means…” in a discussion about a Bible passage and thought to themselves: “Well, that just doesn’t seem to be what the Bible says!”
Not everyone should become a Bible scholar. Nonetheless, some leaders should get some knowledge and expertise about what they are trying to teach, lead and grow. By mostly opinionating, your Bible study might just be missing out on the actual power of the Scriptures.
8. You might be missing transformational power
Lastly, but not of least importance, your small group may be missing some real-life change caused by the Scriptures’ transformational power. When you let the Word of God in your life, it cannot leave you the same as you are right now. His Word produces good fruit in us (Galatians 5:22). It creates faith (Romans 10:17); it will bring you freedom (Galatians 5:1). It will feed and nourish your soul (Matthew 4:4). You will be seeking holy, yet imperfect, living (Psalm 119:11). Spiritual, emotional, and physical healing will happen in the context of the relationships built in your group. As James writes, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (5:16 NIV).
If you want your small group Bible study to thrive, grow in all aspects, and be fruitful, add all or any of these eight missing ingredients and observe life happen in its purest form.
