SMALL GROUP LEADER TRAINING
The following is based on a training session given to Southampton University CU small group leaders on Saturday 1 October 2005.
Introduction
The goals of this training session are to think about how to lead a small group effectively and to think about what we want to get out of the group both individually and corporately. There are many aspects to a small group, prayer, supporting one another and studying the Bible together. We are going to focus in this session on leading a Bible Study.
Peter encourages us "like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good" (1 Peter 2:1-2). Our desire for both ourselves and for our groups should be for this "pure spiritual milk" so that we might grow spiritually from young babies into mature adults.
Discussion Question 1:What do you think contributes to a good small group study?
There are many factors that can contribute to having a good small group Bible Study such as how the group is led, group dynamics, the mood and attitude of those in the group, the atmosphere or the subject matter. These are all important and we will consider some of them in this session but none or even all can guarantee a good study.
The most important thing in a small group study is that the Holy Spirit is at work. All studies are dependent on Him working in the hearts of those in your group encouraging them to engage with the passage and be open and honest. These things often take time to nurture, some people will probably not become honest about what they really think overnight.
As leaders we will always be learning!! We must work at being flexible in how we lead the group, sensitive to what is going on in peoples lives and above all open about what is going on in our own lives.
However much experience we have of leading small groups, things still prove to be a struggle sometimes or do not go as we would have liked. We need more than anything to be dependent on God in prayer and sensitive to what He is doing in lives of those in our groups.
Purpose
Discussion Question 2: Why do you think that small groups are important?
My experience of small groups is quite varied, some have been very helpful some have not. I have learned things from others that I wouldn't necessarily have learned on my own and been clearly challenged in many ways by those groups. The purpose however of a small group can often seem quite different. For some groups I have been to, the purpose has seemed to be to teach or to pass on some pre-prepared material. Other groups have left me feeling like I haven't come to any conclusions on things, that I haven't found answers to a particular question or problem. All too often I have felt unable to contribute or to ask the questions I was thinking!!
So why do we meet together? Well the writer to the Hebrews encourages us to "..not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Paul says that this kind of corporate spiritual interaction is important when he encourages us to "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16a).
Ultimately the purpose of everything that we do, should be to grow more like Jesus ourselves and to help others to do the same. Paul says that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Small groups should help us because they create an environment for us to learn from one another and to hear different perspectives about things.
In Ephesians 4:11-16 Paul says that the various ministry gifts or roles had been given to "...prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach maturity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (NIV).
It is important to note that many of us learn much better when we discover things for ourselves. One of the important traits of a good small group is that there is a healthy environment for discussion and learning together from God.
Expectations
Discussion Question 3: What is the measure of success or failure for a small group study?
Is it to help everyone to understand the Passage completely? Is it to ensure all key points are taken on board by all? Is it to solve everybody's problems? Is it to help people to engage with the passage and meet with Jesus?
It is important to sort out in our own minds what the measure of success or failure is for our small group. Our purpose will often define what we expect from a study. So if we believe the purpose is to help each person in the group to understand the passage completely, we will more than likely be disappointed most of the time. Success or failure should not be judged on our ability to teach, explain difficult concepts or to solve peoples problems.
All of us are on a spiritual journey, some are just starting, others are wandering away from the path while others are further along. Our task as small group leaders is to help them in their journey by encouraging them to engage with the Bible. It is however important to note that it is the Holy Spirit who will ultimately teach them and change them.
Ultimately we want to see people growing in their faith. Sometimes it is better for people to go away struggling with an issue that has come up or pondering something that they have been challenged about. You don't need to solve the world's problems in a single study.
Leading the study
Why are questions so important in leading a small group?
I am sure that we have all been to small groups where the study has either been dominated by the leader or where the group has been in effect leaderless. These scenarios can lead to a lack of discussion and a tendency to focus on tangents and not to actually engage with the passage. As leaders we need to strike a balance between intentionally leading and directing the group and allowing it to naturally discuss and engage with the passage.
I asked a recent Southampton student what they found helpful and unhelpful about how a group is led. The individual said that they find it helpful when the leader asks questions and allows you space to think and ask questions rather than being told the answer and they said that they find it unhelpful when the leader drones on as they tend to switch off.
Jesus regarded questions as an important way of learning. It is clear from the the gospels that Jesus often asked his disciples questions and they felt most at ease to ask him questions as well. Furthermore when Jesus engaged people he met in discussion both individually and in groups he asked questions:
Jesus asked the Pharisees "Which is lawful to do on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil" (Mark 3:4)
Jesus asks two blind men "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:28)
Jesus asks the teachers of the law "Which is easier to say, your sins are forgiven or get up and walk?" (Matthew 9:5)
Jesus asks his disciples "Who do people say that I am?" and "Who do you say I am?" (Mark 8:27,29)
Jesus asks the rich young man "What do you ask me about what is good?" (Matthew 19:17)
Jesus asks two blind men "What do you want me to do for you?" (Matthew 20:32)
Jesus asked a teacher of the law "Of all the commandments which one is the most important?" (Mark 12:28)
Discussion Question 4: What are the characteristics of a good question?
Discussion Exercise: In your groups identify a number of questions that you could ask in a small group one of the following passages: Philippians 3, Jonah 1, 2 Timothy 1, John 13
There are three main areas for asking questions; Observation, Interpretation and Application. In a nutshell studying the Bible is about getting into the passage, working out what it is saying and then applying it to our lives. To think about these different aspects we need to drill down further into the art of asking questions.
1. Open & closed questions - It is important not to ask obvious questions that will often be met with an awkward silence. It is easy to feel patronised when asked what seems to be an obvious question derived direct from a passage particularly if you are told exactly where to find the answer. Try to ask questions that make people have to think not just ask comprehension questions about what is in the passage.
So rather than "Looking at verse 72, which city was Jesus heading toward?" you could ask "How do you think Jesus felt as he headed for Jerusalem?"
Remember though that silence in small group should not always be seen as a bad thing as it gives people an opportunity to have their say. There is a need for giving people time to think.
When asked the question, "what makes a good question?" a student recently replied that the question should have a "right or wrong" answer. A good question will rarely have a single "right" answer and may sometimes yield a number of varying views. We need to get into the habit of valuing each and every contribution within the group, some maybe way off track, others might be a little confused but as a contribution they are important and need to be treated with respect. For the leader to pronounce your answer as "wrong" can be somewhat disheartening and will probably not encourage you to make further contributions.
2. Starter / Observational questions - Often the hardest part of leading a small group is getting the study started. Experience has taught me that it is important to get the group talking together as soon as possible. It is probably true to say that most people who come to small groups will not have looked at the passage or prepared in any way. They will therefore be unfamiliar with the passage and will be in need of something to help focus their minds on what the passage is saying. Sometimes a good strategy is to read the passage several times (perhaps using an alternative translation) and use some general questions such as:
What struck you as you read through the passage?
What things do you find difficult to understand or challenging in what we have read?
What do you think is happening in this section?
How would you have felt if you had been there / these words had been written to you?
The aim is to encourage the group to observe what is actually there in the passage for themselves and to start talking to each other. Sometimes general questions work well, sometimes they do not. You could start by asking a question about a controversial or provocative issue raised in the passage in order to get people sharing their ideas straight away.
Another way of doing this might be to have a pre-study discussion before you read the passage about an important issue in the passage. E.g. Asking the general question "what does God have to say about boasting? before a study on 2 Corinthians 12.
3. Understanding questions- Some of the best questions to ask start with "what does ... mean" or "why does..." These are largely focusing on interpretation and will help you to grapple with what the passage is really saying. Other good questions you can ask are questions about differences, similarities, definitions and examples. These questions are vital in seeking to understand a passage. Other good questions you can ask are questions about differences, similarities, definitions and examples. For example:
What does it mean when the writer says...
What is another word for...
What is the difference between...
How are ... and ... similar...
Can you explain what is meant by...
What does...look like in practice?
In the gospels there is a lot more action going on and usually a number of different people to talk about. You can ask character based questions or try to encourage people to "put themselves in the shoes" of someone in the passage. This can often bring good insights into what was really going on and roots it into reality.
Probably some of the most important questions are "can you explain what you mean by that" or "what do other people think". Try not to answer your own questions and resist the temptation to give an immediate answer to the thoughts of others. Try to encourage people to explain what they mean as fully as they can (don't settle for the "off the shelf answers" often given so nonchalantly) and encourage discussion from the rest of the group about points raised or issues that arise. You will often find that the answer that you were dying to share comes out in the discussion anyway - remember it is better to let people learn and discover for themselves.
4. Application Questions - Small groups are not just there to academically challenge our minds about sections of the Bible. We need to ask what God is trying to say to us. Having gone some way to understanding what a passage might be saying we can then start to ask what it means for us today.
These kind of questions lend themselves to a more personal discussion about our encouragements and struggles. Sharing of ones self does not always come easily or quickly to a small group, particularly when relationships are new. The key as a leader is to set the tone and share of your own lives - Paul certainly didn't keep his struggles to himself. This will show others that it is a safe environment to open up and encourage your group to go beyond the superficial. When people do share of what they find hard try to encourage your group to share what they find difficult about that issue.
What are you going to take away from what we have talked about?
How do you think we do... in practice?
How do you deal with...in your life?
Remember that it is the wise man who puts into practice what he has heard!!
Tips for leading a small group
Prepare a good list of questions in advance of the study
Don't ask more than one question at once
Don't be afraid of silence - people need time to think
Use open not closed questions
Try not to ask questions with the aim of getting a specific answer
Ask questions naturally and with
Allow others ample time to answer before sharing yourself
Make questions clear and concise - you don't need a 5 minute buildup!!
Encourage the group to raise their own questions during the study
Group Dynamics
Group dynamics are very important to the smooth running of your small group and cover things like the study environment, the different "character types" within the group and various things that can distract. We will only briefly touch on this but it is worth giving some thought to this.
It may seem like stating the obviousbut it is very important that all group members can see everyone else in the group without having to turn their heads. If you want to encourage discussion you need to ensure that the group is seated comfortably (but not too comfortably) and so that no one feels excluded.
Within the group you are sure to have a number of different characters, perhaps "a dominator", "a joker", "a storyteller" or a "shy person". As the leader it is you role to ensure that all group members feel that they can contribute.
What if certain people dominate the discussion while others say nothing? Perhaps the quieter ones just need some confidence to encourage them to contribute - perhaps you could ask them to read the passage or to open in prayer. Try to discourage anybody from dominating by asking what others think and encouraging discussion.
Your group member’s mood, tiredness and attitude on any given day can definitely effect the group. You as the leaders need to try to be sensitive to what is going on in their lives and may at times need to draw them out by asking probing questions to the group (without putting them on the spot).
Preparing the Study
A wise man always encouraged me to read and re-read the passage through as many times as I could on my own when preparing a study. Ask God to speak to you through the passage and really spend quality time grappling with the passage yourselves. Perhaps you could even write out the passage word by word!!
There are a number of resources that can help you in understanding a passage. These are helpful but do not use them as an excuse not to engage with the passage yourself. There are many commentaries and study guides on all parts of the Bible but who is to say that the commentator you are reading has it right. You need to discern for yourself what a passage is saying and you can only do that by going primarily to the passage and only after studying the passage for yourself turning to the study guide or commentary.
It is not just about understanding the passage, you also need to spend a good amount of time thinking about how you will lead the study. Write a list of questions that you can ask and then perhaps compare with your co-leader or other small group leaders to share good questions.
Above all pray that God would help you and help your group to really engage in a very real way with what he has to say to you.
Questionnaire
1. What small groups have you been part of in the past?
2. What was helpful about your experience of these groups?
3. What was unhelpful about your experience of these groups?
4. What role did the leader play in these groups?
5. What was helpful about how these groups were led?
6. What was unhelpful about how these groups were led?
7. Which of the following do you most associate with the group leader and/or co-leader of a small group?
Coordinator / Facilitator / Teacher / Provoker / Problem Solver
8. What would you say were the 3 most important things to remember when leading a small group?
9. What would you say was the purpose of having small groups?
10. What are the hallmarks of a successful small group study?