Getting Started with Multiplying Groups – A Pastor’s Guide | Bible Study Lessons

Launching a multiplying groups strategy in your church can feel daunting, but the key is to start small, stay focused, and lead by example. Your role as a pastor is not just to cast the vision but to joyfully live it out, setting the pace for your staff and congregation.

This chapter provides a step-by-step guide to help you get started, along with practical tools and principles to ensure your success.

Step 1: Embody the Vision

The foundation of any successful multiplying groups strategy is a leader who models the vision. Your congregation will follow what you do more than what you say.

Start Your Own Group

Invite a few people—staff, leaders, or even new believers—to join you in a small group. Keep it simple and relational, focusing on prayer, Scripture, and mission.

Model Multiplication: Train an apprentice leader within your group so that when the group grows, it can multiply. Show your congregation that you’re not just talking about multiplication—you’re doing it.

Live Out the Mission

Be intentional about building relationships and sharing your faith. Share stories from your own experiences to inspire others.

Commit to personal prayer and accountability, asking God to guide you as you lead by example.

Celebrate the Process

Be transparent about your own journey. Share successes, struggles, and lessons learned. People will be encouraged by your authenticity.

“The speed of the leader determines the speed of the team.” – Dawson Trotman

Step 2: Cast a Compelling Vision

Once you’ve started living the vision, it’s time to invite your church into the mission of multiplying groups. A compelling vision will motivate your congregation to take action.

Preach the Vision

Use Scripture to highlight the biblical basis for multiplication. Passages like 2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 28:19–20, and Acts 2:46–47 provide a strong foundation.

Share stories of transformation from your own group or from other churches using multiplying strategies. People respond to real-life examples of life change.

Clarify the “Why”

Explain that multiplying groups isn’t about numbers—it’s about changed lives, deeper discipleship, and reaching people for Christ.

Show how this strategy aligns with your church’s mission and values.

Paint the Picture

Help people envision what a church full of multiplying groups could look like: vibrant relationships, transformed communities, and a multiplying impact on the world.

Step 3: Build a Leadership Pipeline

Multiplying groups require multiplying leaders. Developing a clear, scalable leadership pipeline is essential to sustain growth.

Identify Leaders

Look for people who are faithful, available, and teachable (F.A.T.). They don’t need to be theological experts—just willing to grow and lead.

Start with a small number of leaders and build momentum from there.

Train Leaders

Provide clear, accessible training that equips leaders to start and multiply groups. Use simple tools like discussion guides, video lessons, or workshops. (For one source of Discussion-based Bible Lessons, see Good Questions Have Groups Talking at www.MyBibleStudyLessons.com)

Incorporate an apprenticeship model, where every leader trains an apprentice within their group.

Support Leaders

Assign coaches to provide ongoing encouragement, accountability, and troubleshooting for group leaders.

Host regular gatherings for leaders to share stories, learn from each other, and stay aligned with the vision.

Step 4: Launch Small Groups

Launching your first wave of groups is an exciting step, but it requires careful planning and execution.

Start with a Pilot Group

Begin with a small number of groups led by trusted leaders. This allows you to refine your strategy and work out any challenges before scaling up.

Use Strategic Onboarding

Host an event like GroupLink, where potential members can meet leaders and join groups. Make the process simple and relational.

Encourage leaders to invite people they already know—friends, neighbors, or co-workers—into their groups.

Provide Resources

Equip groups with discussion guides, Bible study materials, or video lessons. These tools will help leaders facilitate meaningful conversations and keep groups on track.

Step 5: Create a Culture of Multiplication

To ensure that groups continue to grow and multiply, you must build multiplication into your church’s DNA.

Set the Expectation

From the beginning, make it clear that groups are designed to multiply. This helps members see multiplication as a normal and exciting part of group life.

Celebrate Multiplication

Share stories of new groups forming during services or in newsletters. Recognize and honor leaders who step out to multiply.

Keep the Vision Alive

Regularly preach and teach on the importance of multiplication. Use personal stories, testimonies, and biblical examples to keep the vision fresh.

Step 6: Evaluate and Adapt

As you grow, take time to evaluate your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Gather Feedback

Regularly ask group leaders and members for feedback. What’s working? What’s not? Use this input to refine your approach.

Measure What Matters

Track key metrics, such as the number of groups, new leaders, and members involved in groups. Celebrate growth but focus on life change and spiritual depth.

Adapt as Needed

Be flexible and willing to try new ideas. What works in one season may need to evolve in the next.

Practical Tools for Success

The Power of Prayer

Commit to praying daily for your groups, leaders, and members. Encourage the entire church to pray for multiplication.

Clear Communication

Use all available channels—sermons, emails, social media, and personal conversations—to keep the vision front and center.

Storytelling

Share testimonies of life change regularly. Stories inspire people and make the vision tangible.

Encouragement for Pastors

Starting a multiplying groups strategy can feel overwhelming, but remember this: God doesn’t call you to do it all—He calls you to be faithful. Your role is to set the pace, cast the vision, and trust God to do the rest.

As Dawson Trotman often said, “You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to be willing.” Step out in faith, model the vision, and watch as God uses you to multiply disciples and groups in ways you never imagined.

Practical Tools for Beginners

To help new leaders implement the principles of multiplying groups, this section provides actionable tools, such as:

A downloadable template for organizing small groups.
Sample lesson plans for Bible study sessions.
Step-by-step guides for starting and multiplying groups.

Overcoming Barriers to Multiplication

Common challenges like resistance to multiplication, leader burnout, and theological disagreements can hinder group growth. This section explores practical solutions, including: