Small groups gathered around the Scriptures are a crucial part of church life and one of the means by which God grows his people to maturity.

So why do we sometimes see little visible fruit as a result of our groups?

We must remember that thinking God's thoughts after him, and encouraging each other to believe and live the life of faith changes us at the deepest level. Sometimes the results of that change are seen a long time in the future when the circumstances call for it.

That said, I think there are some things that we can consider when it comes to small groups and helping each member to maturity. Here are three:

1. Practice

One of the best ways to cement changes in belief and behaviour is to practise it.

When we were at school any new maths concept was cemented into our understanding by having to do repeated examples. When it comes to the Christian life there is little differences. In Bible study we are helping each other to be able to read the Bible with someone else.

So why wouldn't the leader of the group ask members to lead the study? This would involve meeting with the member in preparation and after the event, as this is the best way to help others build the competency of leading Bible reading groups.

Why wouldn't we seek members of the congregation who aren't yet reading the Bible with someone and match them up with someone from our group to start reading the Bible together for a few minutes before or after church? The leader of the group could keep meeting with the member leading the other person to help them prepare and support them in the task.

This will help each member to not just meet for what they learn from the group, but to equip them to use the blessings they have derived from the group.

2. Take on a project

The group, as well as meeting to engage with what God has revealed in His Word could also adopt a project to work on. Partnership and trust is created by doing something together.

A small group of men I know decided to take on caring for women in a correctional detention centre. This is because their wives used to visit these women. So the men, as well as reading the Bible together planned for a year and worked with the institution's authorities about what caretaking, improvements and building work they could do to make the women's life better. This care was well received by the inmates and the men got to know each other better.

Another project could be deciding to run a school vacation club for a week at either your church or for another church. This would involve planning for, praying and preparing during the year.

3. Engage in a ministry

Engaging in a ministry outside of what the group exists for teaches the members service of others. More than that it teaches gospel generosity when there is no 'payback' for the members. This grows Christian character. Most Christians I know want to be generous, but some just don't know how to be. So why not teach how to be generous by the group being so. Once learnt members will be able to apply that to any number of situations.