Walk into almost any church and you'll find people who say the same thing: "I came for the worship, but I stayed for the people." Often, those people were found not in a crowded sanctuary but in a small group: a Bible study, a prayer circle, a quilting group or a breakfast club where everyone knows your name.
Small groups have been part of Christianity from the very beginning, and they are especially important in the Methodist tradition. In this article, we'll explore why small groups matter, what makes them work, and how you can find one that fits you.
A Practice as Old as the Church
The book of Acts describes the earliest Christian community this way: "The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers... Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes" (Acts 2:42, 46, CEB). Large gatherings for worship were paired with small gatherings in homes. Both were essential.
Small Groups and the Methodist Movement
When John Wesley organized the early Methodists in the 1700s, small groups were at the heart of the movement. Members of the larger "societies" were divided into "class meetings" of about a dozen people who met every week. Each person was asked a simple, searching question: "How is it with your soul?"
Class meetings were places for honest sharing, prayer, encouragement and accountability. Wesley also formed even smaller "bands" for deeper confession and support. Historians often credit this network of small groups with Methodism's remarkable growth and its lasting impact on people's lives. Faith was not just something you heard about on Sunday; it was something you practiced with friends all week long.
To learn more about the habits Wesley encouraged, read our article on John Wesley's three simple rules.
The Benefits of Small Groups
1. Belonging
In a large crowd, it's easy to feel anonymous. In a small group, people notice when you're missing. They learn your story, remember your concerns and celebrate your joys. For newcomers especially, a small group is often the doorway into a congregation. It's where acquaintances become friends.
2. Prayer and care
Small groups are natural places to share prayer requests and to care for one another in practical ways: meals after a surgery, cards during a loss, rides to appointments. When life gets hard, a small group becomes a lifeline. Each Sunday morning at Laingsburg UMC, a prayer group gathers before worship to lift up the joys and concerns of the congregation.
3. Learning and growth
Studying Scripture or a book together helps us understand more than we would alone. Group members ask questions we hadn't thought of and share insights from their own experiences. Discussion turns information into transformation. If you're just starting out, our guide on how to start reading the Bible pairs well with a group study.
4. Encouragement and accountability
Many of us want to pray more, serve more or grow in patience, but good intentions fade. A group of trusted friends can gently encourage us to keep going. Accountability in a healthy group isn't about judgment; it's about people who care enough to ask how you're really doing.
5. Using your gifts
Small groups give people a chance to lead, host, teach, cook, organize or simply welcome others. Many people discover gifts they never knew they had.
6. Serving together
Groups often serve together, whether by sorting donations at a food bank, making quilts for people in need or assembling meal kits. Shared service deepens friendships and lets a group put its faith into action. See our Service page for ideas.
What Makes a Small Group Healthy?
Not every group will be a perfect fit, but healthy groups tend to share a few qualities:
- Welcome: New people feel invited, not like outsiders.
- Confidentiality: What's shared in the group stays in the group.
- Balance: Everyone has a chance to speak, and no one dominates.
- Grace: Questions and doubts are allowed. People can be honest without fear of judgment.
- Purpose: The group knows why it meets, whether for study, prayer, support, service or fellowship.
- Consistency: Meeting regularly builds trust over time.
Types of Small Groups
Small groups come in many forms. You might find:
- Bible or book studies that explore Scripture or a Christian book together
- Prayer groups focused on interceding for others
- Support groups for people facing similar challenges, such as grief, parenting or caregiving
- Affinity groups built around shared interests like crafts, hiking or meals
- Service teams that meet to serve the community together
- Youth groups where teenagers build friendships and explore faith
Small Groups at Laingsburg UMC
Our congregation offers several small groups, each with its own personality:
- Bible and book studies for adults, listed on our Ministries page
- The Sunday prayer group, which meets in the church library before worship
- United Women in Faith, which meets monthly for mission and fellowship
- The quilters, who create quilts for ministry and mission
- The Second Sunday Breakfast Club, open to all
- The CORE Youth Group for students in grades 6–12 (see The CORE)
You'll find details on our Adult Ministries page. There's no need to sign up or be a member; just come.
How to Get Started
- Try one meeting. You don't have to commit forever. Visit a group once and see how it feels.
- Give it a few weeks. Relationships take time. The second and third visits are often when you start to feel at home.
- Be yourself. You don't need to know the Bible well or have it all together. Everyone is still learning.
- Start something new. If there isn't a group for your interest or stage of life, talk with the pastor about starting one.
Conclusion
Small groups turn a congregation into a community. They offer belonging, prayer, learning, encouragement and opportunities to serve, the same gifts that fueled the early church and the Methodist movement. If you're looking for deeper friendships and a faith that grows week by week, we'd love to help you find a group at Laingsburg United Methodist Church. Send us a message through our contact page, or simply join us for worship and coffee hour on Sunday at 10:30 am. As Wesley might ask: how is it with your soul?