Suggestions for Group Leaders and/or Hosts

Leading or hosting a Study Group doesn't require that you be a teacher. Your job is to be willing to lead out first, if necessary, at discussion time, and keep the ball rolling. Start out each session by having coffee or cold drinks available just before “official” starting time. People talk easily while they're standing around the table or crowded into the kitchen. It's one of those strange facts of life. By the way, you don't have to provide all the refreshments; people can take turns doing that. Put someone in charge of the “Refreshment Schedule.” It will take a load off of you.

If you are working with a new group, make the first session a time to get acquainted with a three minute only spoken biography from each member. For instance, have them give their name, occupation, and a little about their spiritual journey. Leave time for refreshments and conversation at the end, too. It will help with group interaction as you go along.

At the First Session, not everyone may have already received a book, or may not have had time yet to read the Introduction. In that case, it's a good idea to read it aloud together, having everyone read a paragraph or two in turn. Let them jot down notes or interject comments as they go along; it makes for interesting interaction. In every session, you want the atmosphere to be as friendly and casual as possible.

Ask for their reactions. If they are shy about speaking out at first, you can single out one or two people to get things moving. Ask them for comments they may have jotted down as they've read their current chapter in Ten Questions. You may get shy Mary started with something as simple as, “Mary, what did you think about that second question?”

On the other hand, some folks tend to dominate things. Don't be afraid to tell them, privately, that you know they have lots to contribute, but ask them to help you encourage those who are just getting started by not answering all the questions, or by praying shorter prayers, for instance. They may pray more than once, but just a few sentences each time will help keep the flow going. All you need is a little tact.

It's a good idea to read aloud the Starting Off commentary at the beginning of each chapter. This will refresh everyone's memory about that chapter a bit and get them all back in the right groove.

Always leave time for prayer requests, and then let the Group pray about them. If there are several requests, it's a good idea to jot them down as you go along, so no one is forgotten during prayer time. Often people are inhibited about praying aloud, but you can encourage them by asking specific people to pray. For instance, you might say, “Louise asked for prayer for her sick mother. Bill, would you start our prayers for that?” Explain that everyone will be silently agreeing—(or not so silently, depending on your group)—as Bill prays.

It may be a good idea to break into smaller groups of four or five people during prayer times. Then everyone has a chance to be prayed for, and to pray for someone else. This is good practical experience in ministering to others. A different “mix” of people in the smaller groups each time helps them stay connected with everyone in the larger Group.

Please encourage people not to whisper or mumble when they pray. Everyone in the immediate prayer group needs to hear so they can agree with the petitions. On the other hand, you don't want people to be so loud that their prayers become a distraction rather than a blessing. A good, clear conversational level is the ideal.

When no more prayer seems forthcoming, you can pray the Closing Prayer written at the end of each session in the Study Guide. You can add to it whatever you wish. Be sure to include the special prayer you are studying each week!

Really, that's just about all there is to it. You never need to feel intimidated, because you're all learning and praying together. Just relax, learn, and enjoy yourself.

Blessings!

Jimmy and Carol Owens