Group Stages material adapted from Karen Morris and Rod Morris, Leading Better Bible Studies.

1. Forming (child)

Concern about inclusion, belonging, rejection, acceptance. What are we here for? Where do I fit? What is appropriate behavior? Will I be OK? How much Bible do I need to know? Will I be part of this group? People tend to be polite, cautious, avoid conflict

Strong & clear guidance needed. Establish trust & check expectations. Relationship building. Allow some freedom. Keeping track of members. Clear communication. Tools:

• Get group to speak about previous experiences of the group (best and worst), as well as their hopes and expectations


• Dinner, social time


• Maintenance activities (activities not related to the content but which build trust and encourage sharing about yourselves… i.e. take turns bringing an object which is precious to you and explain why, or questions like “if your year so far were a movie what genre would it be?”)


• Group covenants

2. Storming (teenager)

Differences become apparent, power struggle/maneuvering for place in group, testing leaders & members, rebellion & apathy. People stop being polite – normal self comes out.

• Concern about power, control, status, authority, stress.


• Conflict, power struggles, criticism.


• What are the rules? Can I miss a week? Can we disagree? How much flexibility vs. stability and security?


• Strong & confident but flexible, manage dynamics, relationship building.

3. Norming (young adult)

Allocation of roles, development of relationships, growth in trust & responsibility, new enthusiasm, new ideas & greater level of comfort

• Norms begin to bear fruit in this stage. Group starts to be responsible for itself.


• Joking, caring, sharing, willing to change.


• Modelling & clarifying group norms, shaping responses, facilitate group learning.


• Tools: Shared experiences (social, service projects, etc); Delegating tasks

4. Performing

Working on the task: members open up, give of themselves, cohesion/warmth, excitement at learning, deeper application of word, agree to disagree

• Prime zone. Warmth and freedom within security.


• Risk of complacency


• Keeping balance between bible study & relationship building. Encourage shared leadership.


• Tools to battle complacency:


• Bringing in new members


• Taking on a new project together

5. Mourning

Evaluation: did we achieve what we had hoped for this group?, did we live out the values/behaviours we agreed on? Grief. What’s next?

• Disengagement and confusion. More conflict, frantic attempts to recover glory days, anger at leader for ending group, warmth with each other.


• Help the group face social & emotional issues at ending. Help members make individual plans.

Music: Only You, Young Oceans: licensed through Musicbed.com.

Copyright note: (c) 2017 City on a Hill. This podcast and associated materials belongs to City on a Hill. It has been created for City on a Hill Gospel Community leaders, as well as members who are interested in going deeper into Romans. Please get in touch before using it for any other purpose.