Top tips for housegroup leaders
This article is © 2000 the Good Book Company, and is reproduced with permission.
Here are some Potted Proverbs for Housegroup Leaders that you may find helpful. (Some of these points are more relevant to 'Facing the Challenge' groups than others.):
- Sit to be seen: Environment and group dynamics are important. Check that the room you use is adequately lit and ventilated, not too warm and not too cold - nor the chairs too comfortable, or people will be drifting off after a hard day at work. You should be sitting so that everyone can see you.
- We've aversions to versions: Although having different Bible versions around can be helpful in clarifying the meaning of a text, it's better for everyone to have the same version, otherwise there is a tendency to get bogged down in arguments. Any questions about precise meaning should be settled by you from your preparation.
- Beware of prayer pressure: If something important has happened, then of course, give time to it in prayer. But remember that it's far more important that we listen to God than vice versa. Don't let the prayer time squeeze out the study time. Be disciplined about it.
- Cross the ball, don't score goals: Bible studies shouldn't be monologues from you. Your aim is to lead people to discover the meaning of God's word for themselves and apply it. Set them up with good questions, and let them have the joy of slotting it home!
- Don't cap it - leave it: This is an annoying and unhelpful habit of some study leaders. You don't have to get the last word in...
- Walk straight through: Try to get people to understand the whole of the passage. Leave cherry picking of great verses and thoughts to the end!
- We're cross with cross-references: By and large avoid all cross-references - they only make the study unfocussed. Get people to understand what the passage is saying in its own context. The only exception is when another Bible reference is quoted in the passage - then you must look it up!
- Confess your sins: Show them that you need to apply it to yourself first! 'I find this command incredibly difficult to follow...' Or model for them a change of mind: 'I used to think that this meant.... but now that I've thought about it further I can see I was wrong...'
- Entice the Mice: Hand out simpler comprehension questions to the quieter ones. It will encourage their confidence to contribute.
- Bully the bulls: Force the talkers to keep quiet. You can appeal to them privately to hold back, or if you can do it lightheartedly, then do it in public: 'This next question is for anyone but John.'
- Trample on trivia: Only rarely should you let the group go into 'freeflow' on a subject. Squash red herrings with a: 'that's interesting, but not that relevant to what we're studying here' or 'can we save that discussion for another time, because I'd really like to get to the bottom of verse 5.'
- Rub our noses on the text: The aim of a Bible study is to... study the Bible. Keep forcing people back to the text: 'Where does that come from in the passage?' 'How many commands are there in verse 17?' 'What four reasons are given in verse 5?'
- We need time to apply: People much prefer to talk theory. Don't make application a 60-second afterthought.
- Get real, soft, and serious: Don't accept generalities and vague applications. Do allow for and sympathize with people's weaknesses and struggles. But do make sure that people know that obedience to the Word of God is not an option - it's what we're called to as disciples.
- Watch the watch: Set a time limit and don't go over it. People are tired during the week and in the evenings.
- Pray with both Bible and diary: It's best to have a dedicated prayer time to pray response to the passage.
With thanks to Richard Coekin.