---
title: "New year, new small group: 3 key takeaways"
description: We kicked off the new year with a series about starting a new small group. Whether you read one or all of the blog posts, we share the key takeaways in today's post.
---

[Welcome to the Sparkhouse Blog!](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org)

# [New year, new small group: 3 key takeaways](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-group-takeaways)

 Written by [Sparkhouse](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/author/sparkhouse) | Jan 24, 2019 1:00:00 PM

*This year, we kicked off the new year by talking about how to orient your adult community around a new small group! Missed our posts? Check them out [here](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-groupbuilding-interest), [here](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-group-starting), and [here](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-group-interest)!*

In our last blog post for our “New Year, New Small Group” series, we’ll be highlighting what you can do to get started and three key takeaways from the blog series.

## **Ask for input, not for forgiveness**

You know that great saying, “ask for forgiveness, not for permission”? While that may work in some areas of life, it’s not the greatest if you are trying [to build interest](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-groupbuilding-interest) for a new small group in your community.  

Take the time to ask your community – whether it’s via email, social media, or even in person – what they would be interested in studying. While you may get an array of feedback, it’ll give you some context to general themes and ideas that people are interested in.

 

## **Create an “open” small group**

Let’s face it, that overwhelming feeling of “I don’t know anybody and it’s the first day of school” never goes away, even as adults. For some, this can be a deterrent for joining a small group or even a new faith community. 

Focus on creating [an open small group](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/adult-small-group/) where everyone feels included. Skip some of the other don’ts to make sure your small group speaks to [everyone who’s interested](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-group-starting). 

## **Continue to ask for feedback**

You started a small group? Great! 

Now that you have it going, keep it a space where people can provide feedback on what they want to focus on and how it best serves their faith development. Asking for ongoing feedback can help [keep interest](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-group-interest) throughout the duration of your small group.

 

What’s next? Be ready to have a wonderful time getting to learn new things and join in your community's journey for faith formation as they explore their beliefs and what it means to their lives in a small group setting.  

*Still looking for more great resources and tips for hosting a small group? Check out [our page](https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/resources/small-group/) with blogs, eBooks, and more!*

[View full post](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-group-takeaways)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Sparkhouse"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2019-01-24T14:24:06.047Z",
  "datePublished" : "2019-01-24T13:00:00Z",
  "headline" : "New year, new small group: 3 key takeaways",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 400,
    "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4809225/Sparkhouse/Stock%20Images/increase-small-group-attendance.png",
    "width" : 1200
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/new-small-group-takeaways",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60.0,
      "url" : "https://4809225.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4809225/Sparkhouse/SH-logo.png",
      "width" : 125.31645
    },
    "name" : "Sparkhouse Blog"
  }
}
```