It’s summertime and now seems like the perfect time to settle in for a good series on Netflix, am I right? Is that just me? 

I have to be really careful in this carefree season of relaxation and a lighter schedule, because if I’m not, I could easily spend all day long binge-watching my favorite shows. 

I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, necessarily, but moderation is a good thing to consider. 

That being said, I am trying to be mindful of what I fill my mind with and how I spend my time. 

At the church I attend, summer is when everything gets put on pause during the week. Bible studies stop, there’s no big Wednesday night class and pretty much the only people there are kids and youth, along with all the parents. 

I love to spend this season studying the Bible, though and in the summer is when I get to pursue all of the online options of studies available through Lifeway. I lead small groups on that night through the school year on studies that I help write, so I love to take advantage of the times when they offer the video sessions for free. 

I love a small group setting, the smaller the better. 

I’ve done this in the past and experienced a group being too large and how it hinders people from conversation about the topic being studied. 

I didn’t want that to happen when we started tomorrow night, so I invited one of my best friends to study with me.

I love to take the time and really think on the topic of godly leadership during this season of rest. I have done different Bible studies that were based on that topic, but I really like to just pick a study and ask the Lord to use it in my heart to speak into me whatever He wants through the reading of His Word. 

I am starting a study on Colossians this week and who better to read as a guide than the beloved apostle Paul? He is my favorite writer in the New Testament, because he was so full of practical advice and godly wisdom. 

I thought I’d share a passage I love that he wrote that I consider when I think about the role of being a godly example or leader to others.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility, consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”- Philippians 2:3-4 CSB

Over the years, I have learned a few things as I have led small groups and thought I’d share them with you. Maybe you’re someone who has been asked to do this, or maybe you’re someone who is wanting to start a small group and Bible study or book club for the summer months. I pray these words encourage you, as we consider the verses above from Philippians.

The first and most important lesson I have learned is that everything must be saturated in prayer. 

I am an introvert, one who hates being in the center of attention and I am not a Bible teacher by any stretch of the imagination. What I am is called to lead small groups and disciple younger women, none of which I can do on my own. I desperately need the Lord to strengthen me and guide me. 

If I don’t take the time to pour over this in prayer, I get all up in my own head and I make a mess of the discussion and how the time goes.

Secondly, I never ask accusatory questions and I never take that tone of voice. I am known for throwing myself under the bus, so to speak, in order to make everyone feel better about themselves. 

I’ve walked through some things in my life and the Lord has used everything I’ve been through to sanctify me, or to mold me more into who He wants me to be and to teach me valuable lessons. I figure if He can do that for me, then it may benefit others to learn from what I’ve walked through. Also I often wonder, who am I to be able to lead a group of women? I’m nobody important, I assure you! But I am a willing vessel, standing ready for Him to use, if that is His plan. 

Thirdly, I consider the people I am with and I try to appropriately handle the conversation that takes place. This past spring in one of my small groups, there was one older lady who didn’t care for a lot of chit-chat and there was a younger woman who loved all the chit-chat. I tried to be considerate of them both and I settled at getting us somewhere in the middle each week. We would reserve about five to ten minutes at the beginning of class to catch up and share little tidbits from our lives, then we would pray and begin our discussion of the homework for the study we were doing. It was not perfect and there were nights that we had either too little or too much talking, but it worked for us and the ladies were faithful to show up week after week, as best they were able. You have to be willing to steer the conversation sometimes and turn it back to the topic.

I always ask them to prayerfully make a commitment to our study time and to follow it through. You’d be surprised to learn that it makes a difference when you ask them to be faithful—they’ll usually do that because they know that you expect that of them, if you’re willing to lead them. It’s a commitment for the leaders as well! I spend hours each week pouring over the homework, studying, praying and communicating with all of the ladies in my group. In other words, I put forth a huge effort and expect them to do the same, within reason and as most they’re able to do so. I always tell them to never let the homework be a deterrent, though and to come to small group whether or not they’ve completed homework. I also love when they contribute to the conversation and love learning what other people got out of the lesson each week. 

There’s another verse I love on this role of being a godly example;

“An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach…” 1 Timothy 3:2 CSB

I consider that verse as my personal exhortation from Timothy and one that inspires and encourages me. 

I try to be the exact same person every day of the week that I am on Sunday when I sing in choir and sit in the church service. I do my best to exercise self-control. I try to be sensible at all times and I try to always be respectful and hospitable to those around me, whether I’m out in public or when I see someone new in choir for the first time. I also try to be prepared with the lesson each week, on the off chance that people don’t want to talk and I have to do a bit of teaching in the small group time. It’s not my spiritual gift, but as believers, we have a responsibility with all of the gifts.

Like I said before, my small groups are very real, honest and imperfect, but it works for all of us. I try to be as open as possible and I always try to stay focused on the topic at hand each week. In leading others, I have never felt closer to the Lord, probably because I lean so heavily on Him to carry me through those times. 

I love the verse from James 4:8 that says, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you,” and have experienced it so many times on a personal level. I pray that if you’re one who has been considering doing this within your church or in your home in a more personal setting, that you get started, if that is the way the Lord is leading you. It’s never easy, but it has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I’ve made friends that I wouldn’t have otherwise and I’ve gotten to know several ladies who are older than me, both in years and in the faith. 

I pray you’re encouraged and that these words inspire you to think about starting your own small group. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Goodwin is a wife, and mom to four (almost) grown sons. The Lord has called her to serving in several different ministries within her church home, some of which are bible study and leading younger women, and helping in the leading of worship on Sundays. During the week you can find her writing on her blog, Overflowing With Thanksgiving and encouraging others through her favorite social media outlet: Instagram. Follow along with her and be encouraged at @jenlloydgoodwin.