Small Group Fantasy League

Let’s start a Church Small Group Fantasy League!

Here’s how you play. 

The typical small group consists of 8-12 people. You and one other person in your group hold a fantasy draft in which you choose your teams by selecting from all the other members of your group. It is imperative that nobody else in the group knows that you’re playing this game, as their knowledge will affect the results. 

Also, if you’re in a married group, it is probably wise that you omit your spouse from eligibility to avoid the awkward decision of when or whether you should draft them. “Listen honey, I’m sorry that you’re not on my team, but I don’t know what to tell you. The other guy reached and drafted you way too early. It’s gonna come back to haunt him later.”

As an example, let’s say I’m in a married group that has twelve people, and I’m playing against one of the other husbands. As ourselves and our wives are ineligible players, that leaves eight people to draft. 

The draft should take place in a typical snake fashion. If I get the first pick, then my opponent would get the second and third, I would get the fourth and fifth, and he would get the sixth. Ideally, you should leave at least two small group members as undrafted free agents, available on the small group waiver wire.

So now both teams have three players each, and there are two additional free agents which may be picked up at any time. To pick up a free agent, you must drop one of your existing players, making them eligible free agents and susceptible to getting picked up by your opponent.

Each week, you choose two of your three players to play for that week. Players score points according to how well they perform in a number of categories that contribute to an optimal small group experience.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the basic points structure, but you’ll want to customize the points depending on your group.

• Showing up - 1 point
• Bringing the book - 1 point
• Proof that they actually did the required reading for the week - 2 points
• Contributing to the conversation - 2 points
• Offering a prayer request - 2 points
• Providing a store-bought snack - 3 points
• Showing up even though their spouse didn’t - 4 points
• Providing a homemade snack - 5 points
• Leading the prayer at the end of the group - 5 points
• Confirmed pregnancy or adoption* - 15 points

*This is a major risk/reward scenario. It’s worth big points up front, but eventually, you know you’re going to lose this player to the “maternity list.”

Here’s a few tips to get you started:

1. The Leadership couple has to go #1 and #2 in the draft. Don’t be swayed by the chatty guy who went to Bible college, drooling over all the contribution points you think he’ll be hauling in. Your first pick has to be solid. Choose consistency over flash.
2. Get to know everybody’s travel schedule. Is your star snack-maker going out of town on business? Check the waiver wire for somebody to pick up the snack-slack!
3. Develop your talent. Is somebody on your team underperforming? You could take your chances in free agency, but maybe the better option is coaching up your existing player. Invite them to a conference, or maybe a covert training session that you call a “prayer breakfast.”

Your starting lineup must be set at least twenty-four hours before your small group begins. If one of your starting players cancels at the last minute, you get zero points from them for the week. 

Keep in mind that while you have three players on your team, you can only start two each week, meaning you have to decide who you’re going to bench. Players on the bench cannot score points, so choose carefully. Whoever has the most points at the end of the night wins!

What do you think? What are other good points categories for a Small Group Fantasy League?