I thought that if I started a small group, I would need to go to seminary or something. I thought it would take up way too much time and it would only stress me out. I thought it would be uncomfortable. I thought it would just be Way. Too. Hard.
But guess what? I was wrong. Once I finally took a chance and started a group, I realized the fears I had about leading a group weren't true:
I need to have it all together.
When we first started our group, I was nervous that I was going to have to come up with the best answers and lead the group in quality conversations. The reality was, the group did this naturally on its own. No one was looking to me to give them the best answer. Everyone was looking to the group for many different opinions. I was so surprised at how much I learned from people in the group. It blew me away how God humbled my heart and grew me through other group members' experiences.
I don't have the time.
Another hesitation for me was time. I thought that, each week, I'd have to prepare an in-depth study in order for people to really grow. The reality is, there are so many resources available today that you can find an existing study to go through as a group. This alleviates the stress of time, while still having quality teaching that motivates change in your life. We decided on a video series by Matt Chandler, called, Recovering Redemption. The messages are 25 minutes long and there are 4-5 questions that help you go deeper after the video. This dynamic was so great because a trained pastor set up the talking points and we got to expand on those ideas as a group.
It's too uncomfortable to meet with people I don't know.
This can be true, but you'd be surprised at what God does when you step out in faith to lead a small group. Satan likes present every excuse for us not to connect in community with other believers because he knows that's where we will do some of our best growing. But God knows this too, and from my experience, he breaks down those awkward, uncomfortable barriers if we dive in. My first time leading a small group, there were 4 or 5 people I didn't know, and I was so surprised at how quickly I became comfortable with each of them. Now, I am not saying that this is going to happen after the first time you meet, but if you commit and let God work, the group dynamics will become more comfortable. I am fully convinced that God loves small groups, and will not leave you hanging.
I have grown so much in my faith by stepping out and starting a small group. God truly is at work in these groups and I am confident that your expectations will be exceeded if you give it a shot! At the end of the day, I like to think of it this way: Do you like to have people over? Good! Have you ever had people over, had a great time, and talked about God? Sweet! Then you're well on your way to leading a small group!
