I’ve been thinking about these dangers and adding to this list for the past week. As I think through most of these, I must say, “Been there, done that!” Experience can be the best teacher! As you think and pray through these, ask yourself, “Am I at this point? If so, what conversation with the Lord do I need to have to work toward health? How can I utilize scripture, prayer, brothers and sisters in the body, and other tools to help me?”
My goal is not to promote discouragement but to help leaders pray and think toward biblical health and growth as disciples (or groups) and see the local church benefit from robust communities of faith.
1. Lack of Leadership
Why is this a danger?
Without clear leadership, groups drift. No one sets direction, shepherds the people, or helps maintain unity. “Like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34)
How do we get to this point?
Leaders burn out, fail to delegate, or are never clearly identified in the first place.
Prevention:
Raise, train, and affirm leaders (2 Tim. 2:2). Rotate responsibilities, share the load, and ensure no group depends on one person.
Path to Health:
If leadership is absent, appoint a temporary shepherd, invite elder/pastoral oversight, and retrain or install a new leader. God equips leaders through His Word and Spirit (Eph. 4:11–12)
2. Lack of Intentionality
Why is this a danger?
Groups become casual hangouts without fostering growth in Christ. “Make the best use of the time” (Eph. 5:16)
How do we get to this point?
We get here when meeting becomes routine or fellowship overshadows discipleship.
Prevention:
Plan meetings with Scripture, prayer, and mission in view. Build in rhythms of fun, study, and service.
Path to Health:
Refocus on the group’s purpose—remind members of discipleship goals, restart with a simple Bible study. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable…” (2 Tim. 3:16–17)
3. No Vision
Why is this a danger?
Without vision, groups lose purpose, decline in commitment, and eventually dissolve. “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint” (Prov. 29:18)
How do we get to this point?
Leaders never clarify the “why” or assume everyone understands.
Prevention:
Communicate a shared vision: grow in Christ, live in community, and be on mission together.
Path to Health:
Recast vision. Reopen Scripture to define the group’s mission. Write it down and review it regularly. “Write the vision; make it plain” (Hab. 2:2)
4. Loss of Communication and Vision
Why is this a danger?
People disconnect, rumors spread, and unity breaks down. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths” (Eph. 4:29)
How do we get to this point?
Leaders stop updating, conflicts aren’t addressed, or people are assumed to be “in the loop.”
Prevention:
Use multiple channels of communication (texts, group chats, weekly check-ins). Review vision regularly.
Path to Health:
Schedule a group reset night—confess failures in communication, clarify expectations, and reset rhythms. “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way” (Eph. 4:15)
5. Too Large
Why is this a danger?
Groups lose intimacy, accountability, and participation. Due to the large size, only one home usually accommodates the people, leaving the hosting to one family. These groups are often led by gifted teachers or have a particular affinity that is popular within the church. Since large groups create several issues, they tend to meet less frequently and do not provide the needed sense of community. Moses nearly burned out trying to lead too many (Exod. 18:18)
How do we get to this point?
There is no multiplication plan. Everyone keeps inviting without discernment. When the group does start to discuss multiplying, many are upset because they feel like something is being taken from them rather than them fulfilling the Great Commission. This issue is closely tied to “no intentionality/vision.”
Prevention:
Set healthy group size guidelines (8–16). Prepare to multiply before growth creates a strain. Talk about training and sending often. Pray for areas with few or no group representation.
Path to Health:
Train new leaders and multiply the group into two or more smaller ones. Jesus invested deeply in twelve (Mark 3:14)
6. Too Small
Why is this a danger?
Lack of diversity, energy, or accountability. Can feel stagnant. “Two are better than one… a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Eccl. 4:9–12)
How do we get to this point?
People move away, conflict drives people out, and no one is inviting. Groups can stay here by shying away from leadership, vision, and intentionality.
Prevention:
Encourage members to invite others. Stay outward-focused and mission-minded. Invite people to your group. Attend all the newcomers’ and new members’ events. Train the 2 or 3 who faithfully attend your group to be warm, inviting, and eager to share their small group testimony.
Path to Health:
Pray for growth, intentionally invite, and consider merging with another group if needed. The Lord “added to their number day by day” (Acts 2:47)
7. Too Many Kids
Why is this a danger?
Chaos can derail focus; adults may disengage if no structure is in place. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40)
How do we get to this point?
There is no childcare plan, and the kids have few boundaries. The group is less intentional about inviting singles and older married couples.
Prevention:
Plan for age-appropriate engagement, rotate childcare volunteers, or meaningfully include kids in worship and prayer. If there are too many kids in your group, the chances are high that there are too many adults, too. It’s time to multiply!
Path to Health:
Pause, evaluate, and restructure so both kids and adults benefit. Multiply if needed. “Let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:14)
8. Unchecked Sin
Why is this a danger?
Sin tolerated in a group spreads, hardens hearts, and dishonors Christ. Sin drives away members and can create further issues. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:6)
How do we get to this point?
Fear of confrontation, desire to “keep peace,” or lack of discipleship.
Prevention:
Teach biblical accountability and mutual confession (James 5:16).
Path to Health:
Lovingly confront sin, call to repentance, and restore gently. “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him” (Gal. 6:1)
9. A Leader Who Falls
Why is this a danger?
A fallen leader can shake trust, scatter people, and harm the gospel witness. “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12)
How do we get to this point?
Leaders are isolated, overburdened, or lack accountability. Often, when a leader falls, the group multiplies, but instead of calling it multiplication, I call it a splant (split—plant). Some side with the fallen leader and go elsewhere; those remaining are left to rebuild the group.
Prevention:
Build structures of accountability, plurality of leadership, and pastoral care.
Path to Health:
If a leader falls, grieve, pursue restoration where possible, and place new leadership in humility.
10. No Plan to Disciple Others
Why is this a danger?
Groups become self-focused instead of multiplying disciple-makers. “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19)
How do we get to this point?
No training in disciple-making, or inward comfort over outward mission. This danger is often tied to “no leadership/intentionality/vision.”
Prevention:
Teach every member to invest in others (Matt. 28:18–20; 2 Tim. 2:2). Learn to use D-Groups within your Community Group to build a structure toward discipleship. Read and study the Bible with a disciple-maker mindset. Check out resources like The Navigators, Becoming a Disciple Maker, or Small Circle. (I’ve also written several resources that help in this area on this blog and through Amazon.)
Path to Health:
Start small: encourage each member to begin discipling one person outside the group. Lead with discipleship (making) in mind. “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men” (2 Tim. 2:2)
Toby DeHay 