Life Groups - Leading A Discussion
To be truly effective, preparation is vital (See previous page).
- You will need to have thought about the issues taught, so that you can give an informed and even personalised summary of what was taught.
- You need to have thought about the questions ahead of time; made sure you understand them, and have some idea of how you would answer them. Keep that information in mind and use it to draw out the thoughts that other people have about the issues. Remember, use your prepared answers only after everyone else has had opportunity to speak.
Start the Word time by reading the relevant Scriptures, and then give a brief summary of what was taught. Introduce the questions as naturally as possible, using your summary as a way into those questions. Clarify them if necessary. Let your tone of voice demonstrate your confidence in the speaker, and your understanding of why that question is being asked. This will encourage people to think about them more deeply.
It takes all sorts to make a world, and there will be different kinds of people in your Life Group. Everybody has something to offer, and something to learn, but some are more ready to participate than others.
1. "The leader-dominated meeting"
You're the leader on this occasion. So lead it, don't do all the talking. The goal is participation, so your role is to encourage everyone to speak, and take part, and to make it easy for them to do so. If somebody says something wrong, don't jump on them. You could say, "That's interesting, what do others think?" Or if it's a real gaffe: "I must confess I've always understood that differently, but that's an interesting viewpoint." People mustn't feel put down, but rather that their views are valued in the group.
2. "Quiet members"
People who do not take part for various reasons. Encourage them by asking them their thoughts. Again people should not be made afraid to "say the wrong thing". The atmosphere should be one of love, acceptance, and forbearance. If somebody does express an unusual opinion, ask them why they believe that.
3. "Bulldozers"
Members of the group who just "go on", dominate, or go off on a tangent. Such members need to be dealt with firmly but tactfully. Speak to them privately, but if the message doesn't get through, you'll have to put a public stop to them when they start to "go on". Body language is a great tool here. Turn your body away from this person and look at someone else, asking them what they think - as the "bulldozer" draws breath. Either that, or at a similar pause, thank them for their thoughts and again, turn to someone else.
4. "Awkward Customers"
People who are uncooperative, or negative. They may moan or mumble. On the other hand they may just always be bringing in the "alternative view". Now, no Christian should really be playing at "Devils Advocate". Wrong attitudes should be lovingly confronted and corrected.
5. Watch out for those who want to contend with those in authority - either the teacher the previous Sunday, your Life Group Leader, or even the Elders. There's often somebody in the group who asserts, "Well I think otherwise." Yet the teaching has been brought Sunday by Sunday by those who must give account to God for you and for the things they teach. So a more humble response from those who disagree, could be, "I have always thought otherwise - but I must continue to search the Scriptures."
6. Keep the discussion on track. People will take it off into all sorts of directions, many not relevant to the subject in hand. So don't be afraid to say, "Can we get back to the question....? or "That would be a great discussion for another time...."
The Cone Nebula - NGC 2264
Distance from Earth = 2,500 light years
Cone Diameter = 2.3 light years
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1