Read Part 1, “Characteristics of Discussion-Based Small Groups,” HERE. How to Lead a Discussion-Based Small Group I am convinced that everyone can lead a discussion-based study. It all starts with preparation. The first step to prepare your study is to be personally impacted by the material you’re studying. If you can’t answer the question, “How does this impact me?” then keep studying and keep praying. This is essential because as a leader, you need clarity on the importance of the study or the … [Read more...]
Transitioning from Lecture-Based to Discussion-Based Small Groups (Part 1)
As I read through the Gospels, I see something very interesting. Jesus often taught the most profound truth with simple questions: Who do they say that I am? Where are your accusers? Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Do you want to get well? Each of the questions led to deep truths. Now that you’ve thought for a moment about how Jesus taught, I have a question for you: If Jesus led with questions, why do we lead with propositions, outlines, and neatly tailored thoughts? If we’re going to lead people to … [Read more...]
Leading College Students?
Are you leading the collegiate ministry in your church, or is the collegiate ministry in your church leading you? Funny how that works, isn’t it? Leading and learning are so closely connected. A few days ago, I enjoyed a burger and milkshake with a college student friend. We discussed her recently completed semester of learning abroad and her future plans. Perhaps, since I’ve lived and learned a few decades longer than Katye, she gained insight and encouragement from me. Perhaps. I’m sure, however, that as I … [Read more...]
College Leaders: Make Your Presence Known on Campus
As college leaders, most of our fall semesters are well underway. We’ve moved the freshmen in (and secretly laughed at all the stuff they expected to cram it into a room roughly the size of a Hummer). We’ve participated in involvement fairs and distributed enough survival packs to feed students well into their Christmas Break. We’ve also hosted our first group gatherings. The beginning of the fall semester is the most opportune time to reach students on a college campus. And boy do we put a lot of energy and … [Read more...]
5 Leader FAQs Answered
In the past months, many of us at Threads have been rolling around the country going to Connect Conferences and meeting church leaders who are vitally interested in reaching young adults. For those of you who haven’t been able to join us, here are our answers to five of the most frequently asked questions we’ve received. My church has a Sunday School. Do we need to transition to small groups to be able to reach young adults? Not necessarily. If you have a Sunday School structure that embraces depth, responsibility, … [Read more...]
Student Ministry, Young Adult Ministry Must Run Together
Last year, one of the great opportunities I had to serve in ministry was teaching 10th grade guys in Bible study. They haven’t forgotten me, and I haven’t forgotten them since I left to help start a new campus of my church. When they see me, they don’t just say hello. They come by and give me a hug. Normally it’s a rib-crushing embrace. These guys are strong! Every time I get one of these hugs, it reminds me of a central truth: You can’t have an effective young adult ministry in your church without an … [Read more...]
7 Steps of Bible Study Preparation
Yesterday I mentioned that as part of my presentation at some recent conferences, I put together the 7 steps I use for Bible study preparation. I’m not assuming these are universal, but they have helped me organize my time and hopefully make my teaching style engaging, relevant, and self-revelatory. So here you go: Read the text. This should probably go without saying, but I would recommend reading the text upwards of 10 times. And reading in such a way as to enter it. To smell, see, and taste what is happening in the text. … [Read more...]
How to Handle Conversation Hogs and Rabbit Chasers
Group meeting time is here. With your group plan in hand, your goal as a leader will be to engage everyone in the study. Some people in the group will need you to draw them out; others will need you to remind them that others in the group have things to say, too. What can you do to balance each of these extremes? Give the person who doesn’t talk time. Odds are they are figuring out if they can trust the group before they engage in the conversation. You may want to talk to them outside of group time and ask them how you can help … [Read more...]
The Power of Confronting Problems
After 44 years of life, I should have learned this by now, but I learned it afresh today. When you have a problem, confront it—head on. For the past two weeks, I have been waking up in the middle of the night, worrying about a challenge I am facing. Roadblocks have been piled in the way day after day, making an imposing challenge seem completely impossible. It has caused a crisis of faith in my life, a crisis of commitment and a crisis in my family life. I felt like the ultimate ostrich, sticking my head in the sand and nearly … [Read more...]
How to Develop a Discussion Plan that Works
The next step in preparing for a great discussion (after preparing yourself) is to develop a discussion plan. This involves a few things: preparing a place for the study, planning your time, and choosing the questions that will guide your group through a meaningful discussion. Environment Matters Preparing a place for the study is an essential first step. Your group’s meeting place will, in some ways, determine the intimacy level that your group reaches. Most groups succeed in places that are warm and inviting. If you are … [Read more...]
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