4. How to make things not awkward by veering from the script.
In many cases, leadership at the church will provide small-group leaders with a list of study questions to go over as an outline. But if you’re locked into that list of questions, you can miss some great opportunities for more meaningful discussions. Don’t be so concerned with finishing all the questions or quickly moving on to the next. Let the Spirit lead the discussion and try not to be too rigid.
When preparing for the week’s group, think of your own questions that could be tailored to the people you have come to know. If you know personal situations that have been shared before, use that as an opportunity to hear more about the person’s story while tying it into the study. This will feel more natural and less scripted.
5. How to make things not awkward as the leader.
Know your strengths. If you feel called to lead a small group and enjoy hospitality but find yourself reserved or lacking as a discussion leader, don’t force it. Consider co-leading a group instead. You can offer your home as a meeting place, provide care for the members of the group and specialize in one-on-one communication. You may find that you add more value using your strengths in these areas while letting someone with different abilities lead the group discussions.
6. How to make things not awkward when adding kids to the mix.
Some groups describe themselves as family-friendly and children are welcome to play in another room during the gathering. If that’s working for you because everyone in the group has agreed to it—great. But take into consideration families that may not have children or whose kids are grown up.
Sometimes adding tots to the mix can cause a big distraction or it can deter others from joining the group. At the same time, families with small children may have a hard time committing to a weekly group without childcare. You don’t want anyone to feel excluded, so finding the right balance is necessary.
Talk with your group about raising funds to provide childcare at a nearby location, or perhaps hiring a teen from the youth group. Not only will the people without kids appreciate fewer distractions, but the parents will probably feel more at ease if the kids are being cared for, too.