Commentary: 7 Ways to Make Your Small Group Special This Holiday Season

PJ Dunn

By PJ DUNN, Georgia Baptist Mission Board

The Christmas season is an excellent opportunity for small groups to deepen relationships, become more Christ-like, and show the love of Jesus to their communities. With the right focus and activities, your small groups can become a place where your church community can experience the true meaning of Christmas. Here are seven ways to make your small group unforgettable this season!

1. Celebrate the season together

Christmas is a time of joy, togetherness and Jesus’ birthday! Hosting a special celebration for your small group can set the tone for the season. Plan a Christmas party with festive food, decorations and, of course, a birthday cake for Jesus. Activities like caroling, decorating cookies, or exchanging white elephant gifts can make the event fun and exciting. However, remember that the celebration should include a time of prayer and reflection on the birth of Christ, as we are called to go and make disciples who in turn make disciples.

2. Attend a Christmas Bible study

Pause your usual curriculum to immerse yourself in a Bible study focused on the Christmas story. This could include studying prophecies about the birth of Christ, the Christmas story, or the theological meaning of God’s incarnation. Resources like Advent devotionals or small group studies during the holidays can provide structure and spark meaningful discussions. This focused time in God’s Word can help members connect the season’s celebrations with their true purpose.

3. Serve your community together

Christmas is a time of giving, making it the perfect time for your small group to get involved in relief efforts. Organize a group project, e.g. For example, volunteering at a local animal shelter, providing gifts for underprivileged children (e.g. Operation Christmas Child or Angel Tree), or adopting a family in need. These acts of kindness bless others and unite your group around a common mission while reflecting Christ’s love for your community.

4. Share personal testimonies of God’s faithfulness

During a meeting, take time for group members to share how God has been faithful to them throughout the year. Encourage sharing stories about Christmases past or moments when God’s care was evident. These testimonies can inspire hope, deepen relationships, and remind everyone of the goodness of God in every season.

5. Incorporate religious services into your gatherings

Bring the group together for a special service during the Christmas season. Sing traditional Christmas carols, read Bible passages about the birth of Christ, and pray for one another. A worshipful atmosphere can evoke a sense of awe and awe, reminding everyone of the miraculous gift of Jesus. After all, ’tis the season when even the Grinch will be singing a Christmas carol!

6. Invite new people to join

The holidays often open doors for outreach as people may be more receptive to spiritual discussions or invitations to gatherings. Encourage group members to invite friends, colleagues, or neighbors who may not have church families to experience the love of Christ through your group. Also, remember singles during the holidays and make sure they have a community to celebrate the holidays with and that no one is forgotten. Hosting a low-pressure event, like a Christmas dinner or movie night, can provide an easy entry point for newcomers to connect with your group.

7. Make discipleship a priority

Christmas is a time for celebration and an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the Great Commission. As your group focuses on the birth of Christ, consider how you can challenge and empower members to grow as disciples of Jesus. This might include discussing ways to live out your faith during the holidays, setting spiritual goals for the coming year, or encouraging members to invite others into disciple-making relationships.

We Can help

The Georgia Baptist Mission Board Discipleship Team is here to help your small group thrive and advance the gospel this holiday season! From Bible study materials and discipleship tools to training and mission opportunities, we are here to empower your group to grow spiritually, connect authentically, and serve effectively. Ready to start? Contact [email protected] to request a consultant to visit you and your ministry team.

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Dr. PJ Dunn serves the Georgia Baptist Mission Board as Discipleship Advisor.