At a recent leadership retreat, the leader of Lifeway’s Next Gen ministry, Chuck Peters, made reference to the importance of God “breaking” things. I was instantly intrigued.

We talked about kintsugi, the Japanese art of breaking something and adding value to the object by fusing it back together with gold. What once was broken becomes much more precious, but without the breaking, it would never have increased in value and desirability. Suddenly, the brokenness becomes good and purposeful, not a disaster.

I thought about how the process of kintsugi connects to the way that Bible study groups are often asked to be “broken” by sending out people to start new groups. Splitting, dividing, franchising, planting, birthing – these are all terms that have been used to ask Bible study leaders to break their groups into smaller ones, where new people are then fused into them. Two new creations result, and suddenly there is new beauty in the brokenness.

In John 6, Jesus takes five loaves and two fish, blesses them, breaks them, and feeds over 5,000 people. It’s a miracle of multiplication—but it begins with breaking. This divine pattern shows up throughout Scripture: God often breaks something before He blesses it. And while breaking can feel painful or disruptive, it’s often the very thing that makes room for something new, expansive, and life-giving.

As Bible study leaders, we may feel resistance when our groups grow and face the possibility of dividing. It’s easy to cling to comfort, familiarity, and the deep relationships we’ve built. But what if breaking isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something miraculous?

Here are three reasons why breaking our Bible study groups can be a holy and necessary step toward greater impact:

1. Breaking Makes Room for More People to Be Fed

Just as the loaves and fish had to be broken to feed the crowd, our groups must sometimes be broken to reach more people. A single group can only hold so many hearts, stories, and voices. When we divide, we create space for new leaders to rise, new members to be welcomed, and new relationships to form.

Multiplication isn’t about losing what we had—it’s about extending it. The DNA of the original group carries into the new ones, and suddenly, instead of one table of fellowship, there are two, then three, then more. Each one becomes a place where someone can encounter Jesus, be known, and grow.

2. Breaking Reveals Hidden Strengths and Callings

When Jesus broke the bread, He didn’t just multiply food—He activated a miracle. In the same way, breaking a group often reveals gifts that were waiting to be used. Leaders emerge. An apprentice steps forward. Someone volunteers to coordinate fellowships. People who were quiet in a large group find their voice in a smaller one.

Sometimes we don’t know what God has placed in someone until they’re given space to lead or serve. Breaking isn’t just about logistics—it’s about unleashing potential. It’s a divine invitation for others to step into their calling and for the body of Christ to function more fully.

3. Breaking Aligns Us with God’s Mission

Jesus didn’t feed the crowd to impress them—He did it to meet their need and point them to the Bread of Life. When we break our groups, we’re not just reorganizing—we’re aligning with God’s heart for the lost, the lonely, and the searching.

Group multiplication is missional. It says, “There’s room for you.” It says, “We’re not done growing.” It says, “We believe God wants to reach more people.” And when we lead with that posture, our groups become more than gatherings—they become movements.

Breaking is never easy. It requires trust, humility, and a willingness to let go of what’s comfortable. But it’s also sacred. It’s how God feeds the hungry, raises up leaders, and expands His kingdom.

So if your group is growing, and the idea of dividing feels bittersweet—remember the loaves and fish. Remember that breaking is often the first step toward blessing. And remember that in God’s hands, what feels like a loss is often the beginning of a miracle.

Let’s be leaders who embrace the break, trusting that God is multiplying something beautiful through it.