Choose a Small Group Guide Format
Exlectio can turn the same sermon into three different kinds of small group guide. Each format stays grounded in the sermon, but gives the leader a different amount of structure.
The selected format is a workspace preference. Owners and editors can change it from More → Profile Settings → Workspace AI Preferences. The choice applies automatically to newly created small group guide jobs.
Compare the formats
| Format | Amount of guidance | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Discussion | Light | Experienced leaders who want flexibility and a focused conversation sheet |
| Balanced Guide | Moderate | Churches that want a consistent flow without scripting the meeting |
| Guided Leader Plan | Detailed | Volunteer leaders who benefit from a complete, step-by-step plan |
There is no premium or lesser option. Choose the amount of support that best fits the people leading your groups.
Simple Discussion
Choose Simple Discussion when leaders already know how to welcome a group, manage time, and guide a conversation. It keeps the page short and leaves room for the leader to shape the meeting.
What it includes
- One main idea and primary Scripture
- A brief introduction
- One focused sequence of discussion questions
- A closing prayer prompt
What it leaves to the leader
- The meeting flow
- Transitions and timing
- A weekly challenge
- Facilitation notes
Illustrated example
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION
Grace That Changes Us
Main Idea: God's grace frees us to live differently.
Primary Scripture: Romans 8:1-11
INTRODUCTION
Romans 8 reminds us that grace changes both our standing
with God and the way we approach everyday life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What stands out to you in this passage?
2. What does the sermon show us about grace?
3. Where is this truth difficult to trust?
4. What is one concrete response you can make this week?
CLOSING PRAYER
Ask God to help the group receive and practice his grace.
Why choose it
Use this format when a longer plan would feel restrictive, when meeting time is short, or when leaders prefer to create their own transitions and activities.
Balanced Guide
Choose Balanced Guide when groups need a recognizable rhythm but leaders do not need a script. It supplies a dependable path from connection to Scripture, application, and prayer.
What it includes
- One main idea and primary Scripture
- A short leader introduction
- Exactly one opening connection question
- Scripture discussion questions
- Application questions
- A practical action for the week
- A prayer prompt
Illustrated example
SMALL GROUP GUIDE
Grace That Changes Us
Main Idea: God's grace frees us to live differently.
Primary Scripture: Romans 8:1-11
GETTING STARTED
Tonight we will explore how the promise of Romans 8 shapes
the way we face guilt, relationships, and daily choices.
1. Where did you notice an unexpected kindness this week?
DISCUSS THE SCRIPTURE
1. What contrast do you notice in Romans 8?
2. What does the passage show about life in the Spirit?
3. How does the sermon help explain this promise?
LIVE IT OUT
1. Where do you need to trust this truth right now?
2. What concrete next step will you take?
THIS WEEK
Respond with grace in one difficult conversation.
PRAYER
Ask God for courage to live from grace this week.
Why choose it
Use this format when the church wants groups to share a consistent shape, while still trusting leaders to manage discussion, timing, and group dynamics in their own voice.
Guided Leader Plan
Choose Guided Leader Plan when leaders benefit from detailed preparation and a clear meeting sequence. This is the most structured format and preserves Exlectio's original small group guide style.
What it includes
- One main idea and primary Scripture
- A leader introduction and one or two opening questions
- A prompt to read Scripture together
- Separate Observe, Understand, and Apply stages
- A weekly challenge
- Prayer direction
- A facilitation note for the leader
Illustrated example
SMALL GROUP GUIDE
Grace That Changes Us
Main Idea: God's grace frees us to live differently.
Primary Scripture: Romans 8:1-11
OPENING
Welcome everyone and explain that tonight's conversation
will move from what Romans 8 says to one faithful response.
1. What helped you feel encouraged this week?
READ
Read Romans 8:1-11 together.
OBSERVE
1. What words or contrasts stand out in the passage?
UNDERSTAND
1. What does this passage teach about grace and the Spirit?
APPLY
1. Where does this truth meet your everyday life?
2. What concrete next step will you take this week?
THIS WEEK
Respond with grace in one difficult conversation.
PRAYER
Pray for courage to believe and practice this truth.
LEADER NOTE
Keep the conversation rooted in the passage. Invite honest
participation without pressuring anyone to overshare.
Why choose it
Use this format for newer leaders, volunteer teams with varied experience, or ministries that want every leader to receive a complete meeting plan.
How question range works
The question-range preference continues to control the number of core questions, but each format organizes them differently.
| Question range | Simple Discussion | Balanced Guide | Guided Leader Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 | 4 discussion questions | 4 core questions + 1 opening | 4 core questions + 1-2 opening |
| 5-8 | 6 discussion questions | 7 core questions + 1 opening | 7 core questions + 1-2 opening |
| 9-12 | 10 discussion questions | 10 core questions + 1 opening | 10 core questions + 1-2 opening |
Opening questions do not count toward the selected core-question range.
Changing the workspace format
- Open More from the main navigation.
- Choose Profile Settings.
- Find Workspace AI Preferences.
- Select the desired Small Group Guide Format.
- Choose Save Workspace AI Preferences.
The change affects jobs created after the preference is saved. A queued job or retry keeps the format that was selected when its original job was created.
If a guide already exists for the same sermon and audience, delete the existing guide before generating a replacement. Editing the workspace preference does not rewrite historical guides.
A simple way to decide
Ask one question: How much help does the person leading the group need before the conversation begins?
- Choose Simple Discussion for maximum leader flexibility.
- Choose Balanced Guide for a consistent but adaptable flow.
- Choose Guided Leader Plan for the most complete leader support.