ArchKCK Youth Ministry

Ministry Resources for Youth Ministries

Tips & Tricks for Leading a Successful Small Group

Small groups are where faith gets personal. In a large gathering, teens may hear inspiring talks or experience powerful worship, but it’s in the small group setting that they begin to process, reflect, and share how God is working in their own lives. A successful small group doesn’t depend on having the “perfect” leader or the “right” answers—it depends on creating an environment of trust, authenticity, and openness. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your approach, the following tips and tricks will help you lay a solid foundation, set clear expectations, and foster meaningful conversations that can truly change lives.

Every time you have a new person in your group, this needs to be done.

Introduction (5-10min)

  • Introduce yourself (leaders) and welcome everyone to their small group. Explain the purpose of this first meeting: to start to get to know one another and explain the commitment.

Ground Rules

  • This is a safe and sacred place
  • One person speaks at a time
  • Listen when others are speaking. Listen with your whole being
  • Monitor yourself – if you are speaking too much, take a break and listen. If you haven’t been sharing, challenge yourself to share
  • All small group discussion is confidential: unless it is a matter of personal safety/health (“I want to kill myself”), if will be shared with the youth director and we will walk with you to find comfort and joy
  • We are here to build each other up – no cut-downs
  • We are here to listen, not to give advice

Housekeeping

  • Make sure everyone is happy with what their small group space is like

The Actual Small Group

Opening Prayer (2 min)

  • Short, sweet and to the point

High/Low (5 minutes)

  • Introduce ‘High/Low’
    • Invite everyone to share…quickly

Content (rest of time)

  • During the talk, you should be filling in questions

Small Group Tips

  • Small groups are not about having all the right answers; they’re about asking the right questions.
  • Be willing to play! (Teen boys story)
  • Pray – after comfortable, have a teen pray
  • Sometimes Suck
  • Inter-active
  • Sit on same level
  • Whip it question (one word)
  • General questions
  • Get good at asking questions (prepare/practice)
  • Be ready with follow up
  • ETA – Embrace the awkward
  • Be Honest (transparent)
  • Contact your teens weekly!
  • Prepare witness of teens (if applicable) 
  • Have pen/paper for journal
  • “Be thinking about…”
  • Cut out the gossip (ex: “no names”)
  • Don’t preach – don’t dominate
  • “I” versus “People” rules
ArchKCK Youth Office

12615 Parallel Parkway
Kansas City, Kansas 66109
(913) 721-1570
youth2@archkck.org

Copyright © 2023 Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. All rights reserved.