On the Small Group Network Facebook group, I recently asked for suggestions for questions group leaders could use to evaluate their group. Boy, did I get some great ideas! I have in mind that you could copy and paste these and pass alone to your small group leaders. They could use them to evaluate each small group session.
I would emphasize to your group to try to use the list to come up with ONE improvement they could work on each week. It could be overwhelming to work on more.
Another idea surfaced in response to my question. That is, a list of questions a group leader might use to evaluate the overall health of the group.
So, here is what I have in mind: A One Page Evaluation Sheet. On one side of the page is evaluation related to an individual group session. On the other side are questions related to the overall health of the group. Everyone has a little different philosophy of small groups, so feel free to adapt and edit to your situation. (We would love to see your completed list. Feel free to copy and paste them into the comments below.)
Thank you, Kegan Shoemaker, Andrew Kovar, Steve Blumer, Jen Mayer, Steve Lizzio, Donna Wright, Allison Remaly Shipley, Tye Male, Stephanie Walderich Nichols, Darryl Wilson, Steve Stringham, Kristin Lagus and Cindy Compitiello
Questions to evaluate an individual small group session:
What went well? What would you do differently next time?
Did everyone participate?
Was anyone bored?
Did anyone dominate? Is this a pattern? Do you have a plan in place to deal with this?
Did we start and end on time?
Was there clear application?
Did anyone commit to or take a next step or apply the discussion/Biblical learning to their life?
How did God move in the group?
Did we laugh together?
Did anyone take a risk in sharing their ideas, questions/doubts or emotions?
If there was a moment of honest vulnerability, did they group handle it in a helpful way? Or, did the pounce on the vulnerable person and try to fix them?
Was Jesus the hero of the story?
Did the children present have a positive experience of group life?
Was the Bible read?
Did the group pray for one another?
Is there a clear need for follow up with a member?
The one thing I will work on for next week is:
Questions about the overall health of the group:
Is your group accomplishing its mission and purpose?
Do you have a clearly stated and understood mission and purpose for your group?
Are people opening up more or less?
If anyone has not returned, do you know why? Are there any steps that need to be taken?
Are people willing to be vulnerable and real?
Is the group led by just one person or are others sharing in the leadership (e.g., others are helping to lead prayer, send reminders, follow up with missing members, organize snacks, plan parties, plan service projects, etc.)?
Is the group having socials or serving together, etc.?
Are group members communicating with each other outside of the group meeting?
Are people growing spiritually?
Are your discussions on topic or just catching up?
How is the group helping people stay accountable to their spiritual goals?
Are people more committed to Jesus because of their involvement in the group?
Do we ever use gender breakout time to spur more honest, personal sharing?
How is your group reaching into and serving the community?
Are there any behaviors my group members have that make it feel closed to newcomers?
Do you have an outreach strategy and is it working? Does it need to be adjusted?
Do you ever read the Bible together using the YouVersion App’s reading plans?
The one thing I will work on for next week is:
