On the night: Leading the Study
The key to leading a great Bible study is the step before: preparing good
questions and having a clear aim! So if you haven't read the page
on writing questions then do this first. Here are some further tips
to keep in mind as you lead the group:
Avoid tangents because they distract people
from getting to the main point (which is what God has to say to the group).
It is better to agree to discuss the issue after the meeting.
Always direct people to the passage.
If someone answers a question without showing where it came from in the
passage, ask them to show the group how they came to that conclusion.
You may feel you are just being petty, but it is your chief task to make
sure the group is listening to God rather than sharing their own right/wrong
ideas.
It is important that you stick to roughly one hour for the study.
Any longer and people will fall asleep and you'll loose application time.
If you are a lot shorter then you've probably not worked hard enough on
the passage.
Make it clear when you are moving on to the next section in the passage
or onto application. Try to summarise the section you are finishing
by asking suitable questions. Make sure all the group, even the quiet
ones, have understood the main point of the section.
If someone gives a vague answer or an answer that sounds like it could
be wrong avoid confusion by asking them to clarify.
Redirecting: don't just accept the first person's answer to a question
try to redirect to encourage discussion. Even if the answer is right,
redirecting makes sure everyone understands. Frequent redirection
means that it is easier to deal with wrong answers because someone else
can correct from the passage.
Involve quiet people by asking them to read, increasing eye contact, directing
simpler questions towards them etc. Do the opposite for the overly
loud.
Don't be afraid of silences especially when people are looking at the passage.
But if they are looking at the ceiling you've probably asked a Mickey Mouse
question which is far too simple or one that is far too difficult.
Don't answer your own questions, if a question is too difficult then break
it down by asking a few simpler questions which lead the group step-by-step.
Co-leaders: help group dynamics and give constructive feedback to the leader
(not in the study!). Best to sit almost opposite the leader.
Games Leaders Play
The Story Teller
Too many Bible Studies are like reading a story with a group of children,
asking them the occasional question to check they are still awake.
In a similar way, the cell leader talks the group through the passage,
explaining all the interesting/difficult bits and asking occasional easy
questions which involve little more than reading a verse out. This
of course gets boring. It is the interesting bits that are the best
bits to discuss/work out.
The Preacher
Don't be the preacher! Let the passage do the talking, your job is
to guide discussion. Especially watch your hobby-horses.
The Expert
You are not expected to know everything. And don't give that impression
otherwise everyone may be too intimidated to discuss!
The Peacemaker
Don't be afraid of controversy or conflict. Handled in the right
way this can lead to the most productive discussion. People will
be forced to wrestle with the passage!
The Pastor
The focus of the Bible Study is not to sort out people's emotional problems
etc. Do be sensitive to people, but know when it is best to pass
them on to their church leaders.