Sermon Discussion Guide Template (Free, Printable)
A sermon discussion guide helps small groups continue the conversation Sunday started. When every group discusses the same passage, the whole church grows in the same direction, and leaders don't have to build a study from scratch each week.
Below is a one-page template you can copy into Word or Google Docs, a worked example, and tips for writing each section in about 20 minutes.
The template (copy and paste)
[Church name] Small Group Guide · Week of [date] Sermon: "[Title]" · Passage: [Book chapter:verses] · Speaker: [Name]
Big idea (one sentence): ________
Open (5 min) Icebreaker: ________
Read (5 min) Read [passage] aloud together.
Discuss (30 min) Observe 1. ________ 2. ________
Interpret 3. ________ 4. ________ 5. ________
Apply 6. ________ 7. ________
Live it this week: ________
Pray (10 min) Closing prayer: ________ Prayer requests: ____________________
Go deeper (optional): [Related passages] · [Listen to the sermon: link]
How to fill in each section
Big idea. Write the sermon's main point as one sentence a 12-year-old could understand. If you can't, ask the preacher. This sentence keeps the discussion on track.
Icebreaker. Choose something everyone can answer, ideally connected to the theme. See 50 icebreakers for adults.
Observation questions ask what the text says: who, what, where, repeated words. They should have clear answers in the passage.
Interpretation questions ask what it means: why the author said it, how it connects to the rest of Scripture, what it teaches about God.
Application questions ask what we'll do. Make them specific and personal, but not invasive.
Our full guide to writing small group discussion questions explains this three-step flow in detail, with 40 examples.
Live it this week. One concrete practice: a verse to memorize, a conversation to have, a habit to try for seven days.
Closing prayer. Two or three sentences that pray the big idea back to God.
A worked example
Sermon: "The Good Shepherd" · Passage: John 10:1–18 Big idea: Jesus knows his sheep by name and lays down his life for them.
Icebreaker: Who's someone who really knows you?
- What does the shepherd do for the sheep in verses 3–4?
- How does Jesus describe the hired hand (vv. 12–13)?
- What does it mean that the sheep "know his voice"?
- Why does Jesus stress that he lays down his life of his own accord (v. 18)?
- How does this passage connect to Psalm 23?
- What other "voices" compete for your attention?
- Where do you need to trust the Shepherd's care this week?
Live it: Read Psalm 23 each morning this week. Prayer: "Jesus, our Good Shepherd, thank you for knowing us by name…"
Tips for distributing the guide
- Send it Monday, while Sunday is fresh, by email to leaders and in your weekly newsletter for everyone else.
- Print a few copies for people who prefer paper.
- Post one question on social media midweek. It fits a content calendar.
- Offer it in Spanish if part of your congregation prefers it.
- Include a kids' version for families. See children's sermon ideas.
Get this guide drafted from your sermon
Amenflow drafts a complete small group guide from Sunday's recording, following this structure: icebreaker, seven questions, application and closing prayer, plus a Spanish version. You can download it as DOCX or PDF to edit and share. It's built from what was actually preached, so it matches the sermon your groups heard. See a sample guide or start free.