I had a great time tonight at the College Career group at our church. Part of the dynamics of this meeting, is to read/review a passage of Scripture, and then break into Small Groups to discuss and personalize. Over the years, Judy and I have been part of many small groups and small group programs and have found the following helpful….
Normally, Small Group Leaders should seek to have the role of a Catalyst or Facilitator, rather than a ‘Teacher’ who is in a lecturing role. The Holy Spirit loves to minister & speak thru the WHOLE Body of Christ, and it’s good and fruitful to make sure we spend times together where that can happen, as did the Early Church, (e.g. Acts 2:38-47 / 1Cor 12 ). ‘Temple Court’ worship was common but so was ‘meeting from house to house’…
A Small Group Leader (SGL) / Facilitator needs to learn to draw people out, & therefore it’s helpful to remember a few things & a few verbal ‘tools’.
- Realize & remember that making strong Statements are like making Challenges; Statements, Facts, quoting lots of Scriptures as facts raises defenses; but asking questions lowers defenses, raises curiosity & curiosity opens minds.
- Assume (and have as ‘ground rules’) that we are all here to help ourselves and each other. Have a clear facilitator/small group leader who can enable the group to discover and explore; allow no one to dominate.
- Have a central Word, Scripture, Idea, life Example or Video shared to be the common ground for the time together.
- Sit in a circle, and go around the circle asking questions germane to the Topic, and/or allowing each person respond/comment on the Subject. Each person should normally share. Allow people to ‘pass’ if they want to/need to, but it should be the exception not the norm.
- As each person shares, answers the question, or comments, draw them out if needed with further questions and/or identifying comments that help everyone bond & trust each other, & help the person talking connect deeply. Examples… (remember #1)
- “I see” / “I understand” / “I know how you feel”
- “I hate it when that happens too’
- “That’s good; tell us more”
- “Is this what you are saying?”
- “…and what do you think about that?”
- “…and how does/did that make you feel?”
- “I’m confused/don’t understand, please help me… explain again please???”
Of course, a good & standard question on ‘life issues’ is always…
- “How can this/does this apply…
- To you?
- To your Family
- To your Friends?
- To your Work?
- To your Ministry?
At times, a controversial issue rises up, and/or a very passionate or angry person escalates things into Conflict in a Small Group. It’s valuable in those times to have a few tools ready to use to help deflate things without shoving them (or the person) aside. That’s a discussion for another Note…. Bruce Davis, Sr.
PlumbTrue 