Don’t Lead Alone: How to Start Mentoring Someone in Your Group

You weren’t called to lead alone — you were called to multiply leaders.

Many small group leaders unintentionally build dependency instead of discipleship. But healthy groups don’t revolve around one person — they multiply through intentional mentoring.

In this episode, we explore why raising up new leaders is essential to the mission of the church and how to start mentoring someone in your group right now. Drawing from Scripture and practical ministry experience, we’ll walk through a simple framework for identifying, investing in, and launching new leaders.

If you want your small group to grow, multiply, and make a lasting impact beyond your leadership, this episode is for you. 

👉 Ready to serve in ministry? Get trained and deployed at CentralBibleInstitute.org

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

If your group can't function without you, you're not leading. You're hoarding.

SPEAKER_01 0:04

The best small group leaders work themselves out of a job.

SPEAKER_00 0:07

You weren't called to build a following. You were called to build leaders.

SPEAKER_01 0:11

Your group isn't supposed to depend on you. It's supposed to depend on Christ.

SPEAKER_00 0:15

And if you aren't mentoring someone to lead, you need to ask: is this group about God's kingdom or yours?

SPEAKER_01 0:21

Leaders, God's kingdom shouldn't end with you. It should multiply through you.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Welcome to Off the Sidelines, a podcast from Central Bible Institute, the deployment center at Central Church, where we equip believers to move from watching ministry to doing ministry. All of our service is rooted in the gospel. We love because Jesus first loved us, and we serve because Jesus first served us. I'm Greg Sucert.

SPEAKER_01 0:44

And I'm Brianna Sucert. And today's topic might make you uncomfortable, and that's okay. We're talking about mentoring someone in your small group. Not someday, not when you feel ready, but now.

SPEAKER_00 0:54

And here's the reality: if you're leading a group right now, you're ready enough to start pouring into someone else. Because that's what we do at Central Church. We multiply and mature disciples of Jesus Christ. And multiplication doesn't just happen when we gather people, it happens when we raise up other leaders.

SPEAKER_01 1:11

So why don't we do this? Why don't more small group leaders invest in someone to eventually take over or start a new group?

SPEAKER_00 1:17

I think there are a few reasons. First, we don't think we're qualified. We think I'm barely holding it together leading this group. How in the world can I mentor someone else?

SPEAKER_01 1:25

Second, we're afraid of losing them. We invest in people, we grow close to them, and then we're supposed to just let them go? That feels almost painful.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

And third, honestly, we like being needed. If you're the only one who can lead the group, you feel important. But here's the truth. If your group can't function without you, that's not health. That's dependency, and that's against the mission. We don't want to multiply disciples who are dependent on us. We want to multiply disciples who are dependent on Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 1:54

There's also this misconception that mentoring is this big formal thing, like you need a curriculum and a year-long commitment and weekly meetings at 6 a.m.

SPEAKER_00 2:02

Right. But mentoring is simple than that. It's observation, it's conversation, it's giving someone opportunities. It's saying, hey, I see something in you. Let's grow together.

SPEAKER_01 2:13

So let's ground this biblically. Our featured doctrine today is the sufficiency and necessity of scripture. So, Greg, what does that mean?

SPEAKER_00 2:20

Great question. Here's the core idea. Scripture is sufficient, meaning it provides everything we need to know God, to be saved, and to live faithfully for Him. And it's necessary, meaning we cannot grow spiritually or lead others without it. As 2 Timothy 3, 16 through 17 says, all scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete equipped for every good work.

SPEAKER_01 2:49

So how does that connect to mentoring someone in your group?

SPEAKER_00 2:53

Because if Scripture equips us for every good work, then mentoring someone isn't optional. It's commanded. Think about it. Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 2, verse 2, what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. That's four generations right there. Paul to Timothy, Timothy to faithful men, faithful men to others.

SPEAKER_01 3:18

So multiplication isn't just a strategy, it's biblical obedience.

SPEAKER_00 3:22

Exactly. And here's the beauty of the sufficiency of scripture. You already have everything you need. You don't need a PhD in theology. You don't need to be the most gifted teacher. You just need to faithfully open up God's word with someone and grow together.

SPEAKER_01 3:37

And the necessity part reminds us that we can't do this on our own wisdom. We need God's word guiding the process. We're not just training people to be better facilitators, we're shepherding them to know and love Jesus more deeply and to serve others in doing the same.

SPEAKER_00 3:50

That's right. Scripture has to be at the center. Because if we're the ones who people are dependent on, we're not building on the rock. We're building on sand. But when we ground everything in God's word, we are equipping people to lead not out of their own strength, but out of the sufficiency of Scripture and the power of the Spirit.

SPEAKER_01 4:08

So mentoring isn't about showing off how amazing you are. It's about pointing someone to Jesus and saying He is our all-in-all. And in His Word you'll find everything you need to lead.

SPEAKER_00 4:18

All right, let's get practical. How do you actually start mentoring someone in your group? We want to give you a simple framework for identifying, investing in, and launching leaders.

SPEAKER_01 4:29

First step, identify. You're looking for someone who is apt. A P T apt.

SPEAKER_00 4:35

A, available. They show up. They are eager to serve. When you need someone to meet a need, to pray, or to coordinate schedules, they're there.

SPEAKER_01 4:44

P stands for proven. They have character. They're faithful to the Lord. You're not looking for perfection, but direction. You're looking for someone who's walking with Jesus and bearing spiritual fruit.

SPEAKER_00 4:54

T, teachable. They want to grow. They ask questions. They can receive feedback without getting defensive. And that's huge, by the way. You can't mentor someone who thinks they've already arrived.

SPEAKER_01 5:06

Here's a helpful test. Who brings relief to you when they show up? Not just fun energy, actual relief. Oh good, they're here today. The group is more conversational, more honest and vulnerable, and more Christ-centered because of their participation.

SPEAKER_00 5:18

Exactly. That's the person you want to invite into a mentoring relationship. You pull them aside and say, hey, I see something in you. I'd love to invest in you and help you grow as a leader. Would you be open to that?

SPEAKER_01 5:30

And here's what's important. Don't wait until you feel 100% ready. If you're waiting to be the perfect leader before you mentor someone, you'll never start. The best leaders are the best learners, having a mindset that you're hungry to learn and you're going to learn together.

SPEAKER_00 5:43

All right, step two, invest. This is where the real work happens. You start having one-on-ones with them. Encourage them to start listening to this podcast. It's entirely focused on training and deploying faithful shepherds in the church.

SPEAKER_01 5:58

Talk about the episodes together and read books together that will help you think through a biblical view of discipleship. Three books that we cannot commit enough. They're all written by Jay Oswald Sanders. These books are called Spiritual Leadership, Spiritual Discipleship, and Spiritual Maturity. All three of these books are biblically anchored resources that offer amazing insights into God's design for leadership.

SPEAKER_00 6:20

But of all the things you can discuss, this one is the most important. Ask them to observe how you lead the group and then debrief with them afterward. Ask them, what did I do well? What could I have done better? What did you learn? How is God's word informing our shepherding of this small group?

SPEAKER_01 6:37

And this isn't have to be formal. It could be coffee after the group meeting, it could be a 20-minute phone call during the week. The key is consistency. You're building a rhythm of conversation and growth.

SPEAKER_00 6:47

Another practical step. Ask them to lead the opening prayer. Then ask them to facilitate part of the discussion. Then ask them to lead the whole meeting while you observe.

SPEAKER_01 7:01

And after each opportunity, you debrief, you celebrate what went well, you give constructive feedback. You're not just throwing them into the deep end. You're walking alongside them.

SPEAKER_00 7:10

Here's a great progression to follow. First, I do, you watch. Second, I do, you help. Third, you do, I help. Fourth, you do, I watch. Lastly, you do, someone else watches. And that someone else is another believer who is now being discipled for leadership. That's the circle. That's the journey from observation to full ownership. Think about you and your mentee as co-laborers who are serving together for the growth of the group. And don't just seek the growth of your group's maturity, seek numerical growth too. Gather people inside and outside the church to come and experience biblical community.

SPEAKER_01 7:58

And as you're investing in your mentee, encourage them to take the CBI Small Group Leadership Class. It's an eight-week training that will give them the biblical and practical foundation they need to shepherd people well.

SPEAKER_00 8:08

All right, step three, launch. And this is the hardest part. Eventually, you have to let them go. You have to let the baby bird fly. Either they take over your group and you start a new one, or you launch them to lead a new group while you continue with the current one. If you've experienced numerical growth in your group together, dividing the group is the natural next step.

SPEAKER_01 8:30

And this will hurt. You're invested in them. You've grown close. But here's the truth. If you love them, you'll release them. You'll release that baby bird. Because the goal isn't to hoard people you feel possessive over, the goal is to see them flourish in what God's called them to do. Remember, they don't belong to you. They belong to Jesus. If Jesus is calling them to lead, you must let them lead. Support them and encourage them to find someone in their group to mentor, just as you did for them.

SPEAKER_00 8:56

And once they're off leading, you do it again. You identify the next person, you invest, you launch. That's how multiplication happens. That's how the kingdom grows. All right, man, I want to speak to you directly for a minute. If you're leading a small group, God has called you to shepherd. And part of shepherding is raising up other shepherds. This isn't optional. This is a part of your spiritual responsibility. Here's my challenge: take the initiative. Don't wait for someone to volunteer. Identify a man in your group who is apt, available, proven, teachable, and invite him into this. Pull him aside this week and say, I want to invest in you. Let's start meeting regularly. And men, be intentional about the kind of leader you're raising up. Don't just teach them how to facilitate a discussion. Teach them how to love their wife well, how to lead their family spiritually, how to fight sin, how to shepherd with gentleness and firmness, model what biblical manhood looks like in the context of leadership. You have an opportunity to shape the next generation of leaders in the church. Don't waste it. Be faithful, be intentional, and watch what God does.

SPEAKER_01 10:05

Ladies, this is for you. If you're leading a women's group, God has entrusted you with a beautiful and weighty calling. And part of that calling is raising up other women who can lead and shepherd well. Here's what I want you to hear. You are enough because Christ is enough. You don't have to be the most gifted teacher or the most experienced leader. You just have to be faithful. And if you're faithfully leading a group right now, you are ready to pour into someone else. Look around your group. Who's the woman who shows up every week? Who asks thoughtful questions? Who reaches out to others with genuine care? That's who you invite into this. Don't wait for her to be perfect. Invite her into growth. And as you invest in her, remember this: you're not just training her to lead a Bible study. You're discipling her to love Jesus more deeply, to know God's word more clearly, and to serve the church more faithfully. That's the goal. That's what multiplication looks like. So be bold. Take the step. Invest in the women God has placed around you, and trust that He will do more than you can imagine through your faithfulness.

SPEAKER_00 11:02

So that's really the challenge for everyone this week. Let's summarize. Do something. Don't just listen to this episode and move on.

SPEAKER_01 11:09

Write down one name, one person in your group who's apt, available, proven, teachable.

SPEAKER_00 11:15

Then reach out to them this week. Coffee, lunch, phone call, whatever works. And then say, I see something in you. I'd love to invest in you and help you grow as a leader. Would you be open to meeting regularly?

SPEAKER_01 11:28

That's it. One name, one conversation, and watch what God does through your faithfulness.

SPEAKER_00 11:33

We hope this episode has been helpful in inspiring and equipping you to serve faithfully in whatever area God is calling you.

SPEAKER_01 11:40

And remember, none of our service is possible apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who makes all the difference. And the Spirit is given freely to all who turn from their sin and trust in Jesus Christ alone, resting not in our performance, but resting in His finished work, His life, His death, His resurrection. If you're not sure that you've been born again, please reach out to us at centralchurch.com.

SPEAKER_00 12:01

And don't forget to check out Central Bible Institute.org to see ways you can get trained and deployed for faithful ministry service.

SPEAKER_01 12:09

And speaking of getting equipped, our small group leadership training begins Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, from 4 30 to 6 30 p.m. This is an eight-week class that will train and deploy you to lead and shepherd a group of believers faithfully. If what we've talked about today has stirred something in you, this is your next step. Head to central bibleinstitute.org to register.

SPEAKER_00 12:30

Thanks for listening to Off the Sidelines, a CBI podcast.

SPEAKER_01 12:33

And remember, you are not saved to sit.

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You were saved to serve.