Who doesn’t love a Coke? For decades, we were happy with Coca-Cola in its 6.5-ounce bottle. In the 1960s, the 12-ounce can was introduced. So if 6.5 ounces of Coke was great, then 12 ounces would be even better! Your love for Coke got even better in the 1990s with the even larger 20-ounce bottle.
We live with the assumption that bigger is better. In 1973, we were happy with a house that was 1,660 square feet (the average house size that year). Today, the average house is over 2,400 square feet. More room for more stuff! Bigger is better, and more is, well, more.
That rationale is faulty, and when it comes to your Bible study group, it can actually be detrimental. A smaller small group is better!
Those of us who lead groups like the idea of larger over smaller. You’re prepped to lead a discussion, and it just feels better when you’re leading 50 people rather than 10. We can feel affirmed, feeling like we must be doing something right because more people are attending. But a larger group doesn’t mean more people are learning or being discipled. In fact, it could mean fewer people are growing in their faith.
Group study is meant to be interactive, but as the size of the group grows, participation drops off. They may be present, but they’re not engaging. A lot of adults do not like talking in large groups, so with each person who joins the groups, willingness to talk lessens. Conversely, a smaller group makes them more comfortable and willing to talk, discuss, and even ask a question.
An ideal group is 8-10 people. OK, so maybe 8-12, but if your group grows beyond that, start a new group. A group of 8-10 is small enough to help individuals feel comfortable with each other (i.e., build relationships), but’s just large enough to allow the conversation to be robust.
Will people discuss in a group larger than that? Yes, but you’ll notice it’s typically the same few people who talk; the rest just sit and listen. It becomes easy for the majority to become passive participants, not really engaging with the group or the content. A small group “forces” people to be a part of the group, engage with each other, and engage with the Bible study.
If your group is large, consider dividing into two groups. Enlist someone to be your apprentice. Coach them and let them see how you lead the group; then when it’s time to divide the group, you’ve got someone ready to take the reins of facilitating the new group.
Until that time comes when you create two smaller groups out of one, you can still encourage more participation. As you throw a discussion question at your group, ask them to get in sub-groups of 3-4 and discuss it among themselves. Even two people can be a group!
Go ahead and think big with your soft drink and super-size your fries. But when it comes to engaging Bible study, think small.
Lynn H. Pryor is the publishing team leader for Bible Studies for Life, one of the ongoing Bible study curriculums produced by Lifeway. He blogs weekly at lynnhpryor.com.
Peggy Burke says
So true!
DD Eicker says
I appreciated your article. I have found that since COVID our group of Sr. Adult Women is smaller, but I also find that they are closer, more engaged and respond to questions with more freedom. Our class is about half the size it was before. Participation is better and I see a lot of growth. However, it is very difficult to get the women to pray. They have all been SS teachers etc. and believers for years, but they make it very clear that they don’t want to pray. This seems odd to me. They frequently have prayer requests. Any thoughts?
Lynn Pryor says
I share your frustration with the unwillingness of others to pray out loud. We will openly and freely talk to one another about our requests, but no one wants to talk to God about it! I don’t think this is a common viewpoint, but one person once told me he doesn’t pray in public because of Jesus’s words in Matthew 6:5-8 about not praying in front of others.
One approach I have taken is to give them prayer prompts. For example: “Offer a sentence prayer of one thing you are thankful for.” I encourage sentence prayers. I remind my group that we are having a conversation with God. No “thees or “thous” needed.
I wonder if many people don’t pray in public because they pray little in private.
Frank jones says
Question, if you facilitate a small group, in reality it is two questions
One is even in my small group some don’t share what does one do to encourage them.
The second is it seems the same individuals lead, how to lead others to lead?
Lynn Pryor says
Know your group. Some individuals are notoriously shy! Others are reticent to speak, knowing someone else will say something first and they won’t have to. I often start a discussion by directing the question directly to an individual. For example, “Where do you see God’s grace and mercy in these promises? John, what do you think?”
Your questions about getting other to lead: Are you asking how to get people to lead the whole Bible study or just lead in discussion?
Patricia Dixon says
I have a very small Sunday school class of older women and just lost 2 that were in the nursing home. We have a couple of ladies that we continue outreach to. Though small, we do discuss the lessons which seems to deepen our understanding. I think it would be good to have 3 or 4 more but there will always be this attrition.