Quick Start Guide

You can share the following tips with Group Hosts or new Group Leaders who can use them every week to generate conversation and build community:

Include fellowship time on the front and tail end of your meeting time and when possible have food. Start and end on time. All 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 (Mt 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 Christ?
• 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. For example, 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.

Turn people’s attention beyond your immediate circle by praying for the lost and encouraging them to invite friends to join you.