3 Stages of Lifegroup Growth

As you lead your Lifegroup, it’s essential and useful to know what growth stage your Lifegroup is in. These stages aren’t meant to be a formula; instead, they are guidelines to figure out where your group is at and steps you can take to grow and mature.

Want to print to go over? Check out the Google doc version here.

What stage is your lifegroup in?

1. PLANTING - Plant and water seeds; letting them germinate.
Saying “NO” to 4 or more means you’re probably in Forming stage
  1. Do you have a core group of consistent members that come most weeks?
  2. Do you feel core members are vulnerable with one another?
  3. Are group members actively involved with leading and planning activities?
  4. Does the group invite friends and neighbors to the group?
  5. Are most of the group members in consistent discipleship relationships?
2. SPROUTING - Seedlings and visible growth
Saying “YES” to 4 or more means you’re probably in the Reaching stage
  1. Do you have a core group of consistent members that come most weeks?
  2. Do you feel core members are vulnerable with one another?
  3. Are group members actively involved with leading and planning activities?
  4. Does the group invite friends and neighbors to the group?
  5. Are most of the group members in consistent discipleship relationships?
Stage 3: MULTIPLYING - Maturity and fruit with new seeds to plant 
Saying “YES” to 4 or more means you’re probably in the Multiplying stage
  1. As a Lifegroup leader team, do you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to multiply?
  2. Has the group gotten too big to maintain relationships with everyone?
  3. Are you in the process of raising up new leaders?
  4. Have 1 or more people come to know Jesus in the group?
  5. Do you feel like you have gone through stages 1 & 2?

Reflection Questions to discuss with Lifegroup Co-leaders and/or Lifegroup members

Consider returning to these questions on a regular basis (such as quarterly or twice a year) about where your group is at.
  • What stage do we think our Lifegroup is in?
  • Who are the core members of our Lifegroup, and which of us are discipling and investing in them? Who can we potentially raise up as new leaders?
  • What next steps do we need to take this quarter to lead our Lifegroup into growth?
  • What are 2-3 tangible goals for our Lifegroup this quarter? (specific, measurable, achievable)
  • How can we strengthen healthy communication and trust among us as co-leaders?
Ideas to Grow by Stage