You want your congregation members to be growing in their faith. You want them to develop better friendships with other believers, to talk about the Bible, their lives, maybe even just eat food together and relax. So, maybe you promised all that and more as you were encouraging them to join a small group. They joined. Only now they are seriously disillusioned and probably just not showing up. What happened? Here are three sure signs that show your small groups are not working:

1. Your hopes for a community of spiritual friends has devolved into just another obligation. (When Is a Small Group Just Another Meeting? And what should you do about it? by Sam O'Neal, read more here.) Has the excitement of meeting together been replaced by a dread about gathering with your small group? This is a sure sign that what you thought could be a chance to build meaningful relationships in an authentic spiritual community has become only another slot on your calendar. And you resent this time taking away from your schedule.
2. Your leaders talk more than they listen. (Hearing Aids for Small-Group Leaders-Why listening is such a valuable tool for those of us in charge. by Cathy Mogus, read more here.) It is easy to pick out a natural leader—they're the one who's talking. But as a small group leader it is often more productive to have a strong listener. The facilitator model, rather than the instructor model invites people to share their own thoughts and grow through greater participation.
3. You don't want to multiply your group. (The "Joys" of Multiplication-7 principles for multiplying your small group ministry. by Randy Frazee, read more here.) Does your group frown at visitors? Encouraging a group to grow is often an obstacle. No one likes change. However, groups that are active together both studying and learning and also socializing have an easier time with the idea of multiplying from their core group.

For more help with small groups check out:

BuildingSmallGroups.com
LifeTogether.com
SmallGroups.com