How to Lead a Small Faith-Sharing Group in Your Parish

Jesus formed His disciples in a small group. He walked with twelve, ate with them, prayed with them and answered their questions. Parishes today find that small groups are still one of the best ways for people to grow in faith.

What a Faith-Sharing Group Is

A small faith-sharing group is a gathering of about six to twelve people who meet regularly to pray, listen to the word of God and talk about how it touches their lives. The group is not a class. No one has to be an expert. The aim is that each member grows closer to Christ and to one another, and leaves ready to live the Gospel a little more.

Many parishes run groups during Lent, using the readings for the coming Sunday so that members arrive at Mass already prepared to hear them.

Getting Started

1. Pray first. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide the effort.
2. Recruit facilitators. Look for people who listen well, pray and are comfortable with others. Give them a short training.
3. Choose a resource. A simple booklet with the Sunday Gospel, a short reflection and a few questions works best.
4. Invite personally. A sign-up table after Mass helps, but a personal invitation works far better.
5. Set the practical details. Meet in homes, the parish hall or online, at a time that suits the members.

A Typical Meeting (About 90 Minutes)

• Welcome and opening prayer (10 minutes). Light a candle, pray together, perhaps sing.
• Check-in (10 minutes). Each person briefly shares how the week went.
• Read the Gospel (10 minutes). Read it aloud slowly, then read it a second time with a pause for silence.
• Reflection (10 minutes). Read a brief commentary or homily excerpt.
• Sharing (35 minutes). Use two or three questions, such as “What word or phrase caught your attention?” or “Where do you see yourself in this story?”
• Living the Word (10 minutes). Each person names one small action for the week.
• Closing prayer (5 minutes). Pray for one another’s intentions.

Ground Rules

• Confidentiality. What is shared in the group stays in the group.
• Listen, do not fix. Do not give advice unless asked.
• Speak for yourself. Use “I” rather than “you” or “people.”
• Everyone may pass. No one is forced to share.
• Start and end on time.

Tips for Facilitators

• Allow silence. It often comes before the most honest sharing.
• Gently draw in quieter members and gently limit those who talk a lot.
• Keep bringing the conversation back to the Scripture and to Christ.
• If a serious personal or doctrinal question comes up, offer to follow up later or connect the person with a priest.

Why It Works

The Second Vatican Council urged that “easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful” (Dei Verbum 22). Pope Francis encourages lectio divina, a prayerful reading of the word that asks what the Lord is saying to me (Evangelii Gaudium 152). Small groups make this possible for ordinary parishioners, and they build friendships that make a large parish feel like a family.

An Opening Prayer for Your Group (Original Prayer)

Lord Jesus, You promised that where two or three are gathered in Your name, You are there among them. Open our ears to Your word, our hearts to one another, and our lives to Your will. Amen.

Continue Reading

Learn about Disciples in Mission, the Sunday Gospel cycles A, B and C, or how to plan a parish day of reflection.