By: Rick Muchow


Experiencing life changing and authentic worship in a small group setting can be a revolutionary way to take your small group to a deeper level. Moreover, leading worship in a small group is greatly aided with the tools now available. (Some are listed at the end of this article) Providing an atmosphere of worship enables group members to demonstrate their faith in a tangible way and also experience worshiping the Lord together. Worshiping together in a small group setting can be an excellent facilitator for moving people towards true transparency where they begin by focusing not on themselves but on the power of our Lord. Remember that since Worship is more than singing, you don’t have to be a singer to lead it. Jesus demonstrated many ways to worship: He prayed, He taught, He was baptized, He fasted, He quoted scripture, and He sang (Matt 26:30). Today singing is a very popular form of worship. Of Course, all the small groups I have been in would much rather sing than fast. As Music is a language that speaks very well to the thirsty soul and creates a genuine sense of community within the Group, incorporating music into the small group worship experience has great benefits.

Today the general model for contemporary worship in most congregational worship services is 4 people in a band with one lead singer. This model can be easily adapted or changed to fit worship in a small group setting. You can easily use the songs from today’s contemporary worship artists in a small group context as well as the Hymns of our faith.

Here are some of my tips for small group worship. Sing fewer songs using less time than in a larger worship service. My experience in a small group is that I can sing a song for them to listen to and ask them to join in when they know it. Everyone singing is not the goal (it’s nice). The goal is that the group connects with God and each other.

Music is a great part of small group participation but that participation involves more reflection and introspection. Don’t stop between songs. Avoid trying to manipulate the small group into a pep rally is if everyone singing at the top their voice is what makes a quality worship experience. Small group members do a lot of listening, and that’s just fine.

Pick songs that are easy to sing. Using only the choruses of well known songs encourages participation. Choose songs that have very singable words, a simple melody and limited musical range, let’s say a one octave range. Songs like “Here I Am to Worship,” “Lord I Life Your Name on High,” “More Love More Power,” many of the Passion songs, and most of the CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing Incorporated) Top 100 songs are easy to sing.

Most of all, remember that worship is more than music. It’s a lifestyle. Pastor Rick Warren has a series on worship titled Worship from A to Z and with that series is recommending the congregation to read “The Way of a Worshiper” by Buddy Owens and my book “The Worship Answer Book.”