Small Group Tips

Small Group Tips

I’m more of an interactive teacher than a lecturer – for the few times I do teach I really hope for discussion – otherwise it might be real quiet.  I really believe we can learn from each other – as our unique experiences in life can help us see things from another direction.  So my goal in a group – whether it be a class or a group in a home would be to encourage sharing and interaction.  With today’s media I can easily listen to quality bible teaching – so I want something more.

That said – here are some tips if you are trying to lead a small group – to help it flow better and have better interaction:

1. Tolerate Silence – it’s hard sometimes to allow for silence – it’s so unusual in our society.  But that almost intolerable moment of silence can be golden – as it creates the space for someone to share something they may otherwise never share.
2. Ask open-ended questions.  Simple yes/no questions will lead to simple questions – which are short.
3. Share your own experience carefully:
   • Allow others to talk – don’t lecture or try to fill all of the space yourself
   • Share directly from your own life to encourage the discussion – not just from the text or some study guide
4. With caution ask questions directly to other people (you can warn them ahead of time) to encourage more discussion.
5. Pay close attention to people in the group – do they feel safe?  Are they engaged?
6. Use media to grab their attention – not fill the time.
7. Most formats go like this:
   • Intro Questions – to warm up the group to the topic
   • Some type of main content to review and explore
   • Application Questions
   • Prayer time