I'm always amazed at the individuals who volunteer to give their time to work with small groups. In my experience they always seem to be those who want nothing more than to help, but may need direction in their leadership. The need to offer that direction should never be perceived as negative but as a way for us all to achieve the same goal -- to create a stronger relationship with our Lord and Savior. So consider these points when offering direction to your potential -- and established -- small-group leaders:

Listen to your leaders. Discover what they're comfortable with when leading a small group. For example, if your leader is a vibrant spur-of-the-moment kind of person, a high-energy group will be the best fit. After listening to your leader's wants and needs for his or her group, encourage your leader to always listen to the group. Knowing the hurts, joys, and fears of group members will develop stronger relationships within the group, and help leaders know how to best serve them. We serve a loving God who always listens. We need to learn to model that to our groups - and to our leaders.

Expect the best from your leaders. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Know your leaders well enough to recognize their strengths are, and expect their best in those areas of strength. Also know their weaknesses, and be willing to come alongside and help your leaders whatever area necessary. God expects us to always give and do our best while relying on His grace. We should expect no less from one another.

Always know what's going on with your leaders. That means creating relationships with your leaders, and ideally developing relationships so strong that it becomes second nature to get involved. When one family member is going through a tough time, the whole family feels it. Have that kind of relationship with your group, and with your leaders. Hurt when they hurt, rejoice when they rejoice.

Do lead with wisdom. Because you have a relationship with your leaders, you'll also have the opportunity to offer guidance and wisdom. Seek your wisdom from God, in prayer and through God's Word, and God will direct you so you can provide direction to your leaders. Pattern your behavior for your leaders, so they can pattern it for their groups. God expects nothing less than for His children to live in peace, and this can't be achieved without God's guidance and wisdom.

We are given so many amazing opportunities to lead leaders. We're going to have an influence on our leaders, whether we think (or want) to or not. Let's make that a positive influence. By LEADing others - not through our own abilities but through the wisdom God offers us and wants us to pass on - we're sure to create leaders who glorify God and build up the people in their care.

Pam Carter is a youth leader at Landmark Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Arkansas. She's married to Tim Carter, who's the pastor and also a regular contributor to smallgroupministry.com. She has two incredible sons, Bo and Blake, and a granddaughter, Jade Allison.