![]() After all, the purpose of the group is Bible study!įinally, as someone has accurately observed, “Personal growth is one of the by-products of any effective small group. Tangents are often hard to avoid-and even harder to rein in-so be sure to focus on the answers to questions about the specific passage at hand. So keep the discussion on the topic and move the group through the questions. People appreciate being in a Bible study that focuses on the Bible. Establish a format and let the group members know what that format is. ![]() That kind of order means comfort for those involved. Know what you want to have happen during your time together and make sure those things get done as much as possible. But that’s not bad if it keeps you on your knees praying for your group.īeginning on time, greeting people warmly, and opening in prayer gets the study off to a good start. These roles of the leader may make the task seem overwhelming. So, trusting that the Lord has taught each person during the week, act on that assumption. That’s easier to do when you operate under the assumption that every member of the group has something worthwhile to contribute. That means making sure everyone has an equal opportunity to speak. Ask Him to show you how to love them with His love.įinally, as the leader, you’ll need to be the referee on occasion. So pray every day to love the men and women God has placed in your group. If you laugh and have fun, the group members will laugh and have fun. You’re the one who will establish the atmosphere of the group. ![]() Third, be the one who shows a genuine concern for the members of the group. It can also stimulate people to get more involved in their personal study as well as in the group discussion. Your energy and enthusiasm for the task at hand can be contagious. Next, be ready to be the group’s cheerleader. That extra insight from your study time-or that comment from a wise Bible teacher or scholar, that clever saying, that keen observation from another believer, and even an appropriate joke-adds an element of fun and keeps Bible study from becoming routine, monotonous, and dry. (You might even work several lessons ahead so that you have in mind the big picture and the overall direction of the study.) Be ready to share some additional gems that your group members wouldn’t have discovered on their own. Start your study early in the week and let its message simmer all week long. So be well prepared! In fact, be over-prepared so that you know the material better than any group member does. Since you’re the leader, group members will look to you to be the expert guiding them through the material. I also know that taking the time to read through the following tips will help you to navigate the challenges of leading a Bible study discussion group and enjoying the effort and opportunity.Īs a Bible study group leader, you’ll find your role changing back and forth from expert to referee (and everything inbetween) during the course of a session. If God has called you to lead a Bible study group, I know you’ll be spending much time in prayer and planning and giving much thought to being an effective leader. What a privilege it is to lead a Bible study! And what joy and excitement await you as you delve into the Word of God and help others to discover its life-changing truths.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |