Starting Small
Bible studies and community groups in churches have a myriad of approaches. Sometimes planning and decisions for these groups are made by a pastor, in elder’s meetings, or by laypeople. There are no “right” ways to do it, only what works for your church and helps build up the body of Christ. Whether you help run a church or attend one, I think many people can empathize with the plight of wanting a functioning small group but not having one. Kaitlyn Scarrott was in such a situation, she goes to a great church, with lots happening. She found that when it came specifically to ministry geared to young adults, it was sporadic and lacked momentum.
In the spring of 2024, Kaitlyn and a few friends from her church had all returned from different Bible schools, where they had experienced vibrant, life-giving Christian communities. Back home again, in the church they all loved, they felt a growing need for a young adults group. They had talked about it before, but one Sunday during a church potluck, something shifted. A new girl approached Kitlyn and asked if there were any young adult groups she could join. Kaitlyn had to say no. The girl walked away without a way to connect further. That moment stuck with Kaitlyn. Just over a week later, spurred on by that encounter, she and her friends decided they wouldn’t wait any longer. They would start something themselves.
They made an Instagram page and group chat, inviting everyone their age from their church to join. What started as five soon grew to ten. From the beginning, they made the decision that their group was for everyone and it would be a welcome space for all who entered. Though Kaitlyn and her friends started by leading it and making the decisions, they soon started sharing the responsibilities of the group with others. As people became more comfortable, they were encouraged to lead the studies on different weeks and help decide what they were going to study.
In our conversation with Kaitlyn, it was very obvious that they weren’t following a strict formula. They were experimenting, trying to discover what worked. One thing they decided to do was to meet two times per week. A bit unconventional, they meet and do a study one evening and do a regular hangout another night. They wanted to grow spiritually and get to know each other, so they created a space for each.
We don’t need to have it all figured out in order to serve God. He can use us, and in mighty ways, when we humbly submit and are willing. If you’ve ever thought about starting a young adult or small group, Kaitlyn’s advice would be to start small. Maybe that means starting with your friends and learning how God works, together. “It’s okay to start small; most of the Bible started small. Jesus was born in a manger.”
“It’s okay to start small; most of the Bible started small. Jesus was born in a manger.”
Their number may not be huge, on average, they have about 10-12 people, but what matters most is creating a space where people can encounter the love of Christ. Key verses for Kaitlyn’s group are Ephesians 3:16-19, where Paul prays that the Ephesians would be “rooted and established in love” and that they would “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Kaitlyn’s story is not a recipe that needs to be followed but a mindset that needs to be replicated.
So ask yourself: what’s stopping me from creating the kind of community I long to see? What might God do through you if you simply said yes?
