There is much help available today for small group ministry leadership in print and electronic form. We can learn from each other's experiences. We can benefit from each other's creativity. We don't have to recreate the wheel every time we do something new to us.

I want to share a list of frequently asked questions about small groups. They can be found on Saddleback's website in an article by the same name, Frequently Asked Questions about Small Groups. I have included most of the questions, only leaving out a few which uniquely apply to Saddleback small groups. Some are specific to Saddleback but are included as food for thought. Don't feel you have to read every question below, but know that this resource is available.  Check out these questions:

• Do I need to be a "Bible Expert" to become a Small Group Host?
• What are the requirements to Host a small group at Saddleback?
• What small group studies are recommended and where can I get materials?
• Are all of the groups required to study the same material?
• Is curriculum dictated by the church leadership?
• What if my group wants to continue and I can't continue to lead?
• How can I get more people for our group?
• What do we do when we finish a study?
• How should our group handle childcare?
• How do I raise up leaders?
• Do we use husband and wife leadership teams?
• Do you have women leading groups with men in them?
• Do you suggest Small Groups meet once per week?
• What are effective ways to get small groups involved in bringing seekers on a continual basis?
• Are the five purposes carried out over the life of the group, and, not necessarily on a week ly basis?
• Where do you find your study material for your Small Group leaders?
• I'm an experienced small group leader, why do I need to go to Saddleback's Basic Leader Training – 1?
• How do I get my established group to want to grow and multiply?
• My group is dying, what do I do?
• How do I find curriculum for my groups?
• How many groups or ministries should I be involved in?
• How do people move from one group to another, or do they?
• When should my group meet?
• How do we prevent small groups from breaking up family unity?
• How long should the average small group meeting last?
• How should time be divided in the group?
• Should Hosts invite people only from Saddleback or can we invite seeker friends?
• I'd like to be a Host, but should I wait until I have more experience?
• How can I form a group with people who are similar to me?
• I live out of the immediate area of Saddleback. Should we still consider being a Host home?
• We have a small house or condo, can we still host a group?
• What is the format for small groups?
• On which day of the week does the study take place?
• How do I get into a group?
• What if I am involv ed in another ministry?
• Can I invite people who don't attend our church?
• What is the definition of a small group?

For additional blog posts about small group ministry, check out the following:

• Small Groups in Small Churches
• Improve Your Small Group by Listening Better, Part 1
• Improve Your Small Group by Listening Better, Part 2
• Ingredients of an Effective Small Group
• Essentials for Sunday School/Small Group Bible Study Sessions
• Measures of Small Group Effectiveness
• Small Group Leadership Training
• Nine Reasons to Use Icebreakers in Sunday School/Small Groups
• What Does Your Church Need Small Groups to Do?
• Transitioning from Sunday School ONLY to Sunday School WITH Small Groups, Part 1
• Transitioning from Sunday School ONLY to Sunday School WITH Small Groups, Part 2
• Small Group Leader as Sightseeing Guide
• Launching a Small Group or a Small Group Ministry
• How BIG Is God’s Vision for Your Sunday School/Small Groups?
• Small Groups: Practicing the "One Anothers"
• Life-Changing Small Group Leadership, Tips 1-7
• Life-Changing Small Group Leadership, Tips 8-14
• Life-Changing Small Group Leadership, Tips 15-20

Do you have a set of frequently asked questions and their answers? Share them. Share ones you see missing. Post a link to your document. Do you handle one of the issues differently than Saddleback? Then share the question and your answer. Let's be iron sharpening iron for one another. Let's work together to strengthen our efforts for the Kingdom! Press the Comments button below and share. Be revolutionary!