If you had 2-minutes to share a handful of tips to help a brand new group host / leader get started in building community, what would you say?
- Include fellowship time on the front and tail-end of your meeting time, and when possible have food. Start and end on time. All of these elements encourage conversation and build relationships.
- Open your time in a brief word of prayer and help make participants aware of Jesus’ Presence in your midst (Matthew 18:20).
- Share 1-2 brief insights of your own to jump-start the conversation.
- Relate what you’re discussing to Jesus by asking two questions:
- What does this teach us about Jesus?
- How does God want me to respond to what I’ve just learned?
- Be prepared to ask “open-ended” questions that will stimulate reflection and help move people toward action. These are questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” and often start with the words “what” or “how.” For example:
- What do the rest of you think? How do others feel?
- What did you find noteworthy about this passage?
- How can we move forward?
- What led you to that conclusion?
- Questions you can use in EVERY Bible study discussion:
- What stands out to you in this passage? What impacted you during the reading?
- Was there something read that’s new for you, reaffirming, confusing or challenging?
- How can we apply this to our lives today?
- How could this be shared with people who do not yet know Christ?
- Be real. Be yourself. Authenticity is the key to helping others open up. Develop a dynamic where people feel safe to share and free to be themselves, e.g. be the first to respond to a question and do so humbly and honestly.
- Try to involve every person – acknowledge and affirm each person who speaks.
- Be on watch for others who can champion different aspects of the group’s life together and intentional about grooming them to take greater responsibility in small steps.
- Turn people’s attention beyond your immediate circle by praying for the lost and encouraging them to invite friends to join you.
Related Content:
