You’ve done the hard work. You decided to lead a small group, promoted it, and have gotten a few people to commit to coming. From here on out, leading a small group Bible study will be easy, right?

Well, not exactly.

The thing about small group Bible studies…

As with any social situation, small group Bible studies can be tricky to navigate. Even in a group united in God, tensions can arise. People may feel uncomfortable, disagree with one another, or have difficulty finding the time to attend.

So why choose to lead?

Because your eyes are on the metaphorical pot of gold—the community, transformation, and Biblical knowledge that await at the end of your small group journey.

Small group tips with Carla

So, the question is: How do you get there? Sparkhouse’s own Carla Barnhill has compiled a list of tips to help your small group succeed. Her first suggestion? Start with attendance.

In other words: make sure those few people who signed up for your group come back—and bring their friends!

How do you do that?

Two tips to increase your small group Bible study attendance

Tip #1: Keep it manageable.

It can be difficult for adults to commit to an open-ended meetup. Even if they initially agree to do so, when the light at the end of a busy life tunnel dims, they’re likely to start dropping long-term commitments.

An easy way to help your small group Bible study remain a priority is to set a clear start and end date. Whether you’re working through a seven-week series like Sparkhouse’s Animate, or you’re tackling a certain book of the Bible chapter-by-chapter, create a plan and stick to it. Finite commitments are easier to manage, and people will be more motivated to attend week-by-week when there’s a clear agenda.

Tip #2: Always have food!

Barnhill stresses the difference between “food” and “snacks”—and it’s a big one! People can feel awkward when they sit down to munch on snacks in between small talk. On the other hand, when you share a real meal “something magical happens,” according to Barnhill. Sitting down and eating prior to beginning a weighty conversation helps people relax. And, in addition to breaking the ice, food is added motivation to attend small group!

This doesn’t mean that you, as a leader, have to provide a five-course meal every week. Members of your group could take turns providing food. You could also have potlucks or simply order pizza. However you choose to do it, you’ll build community by sharing a meal together, which will set your small group up for success!

Want more small group Bible study tips? Check out Carla’s quick, two-minute video series on YouTube.