I’ve been leading Small Groups and Bible Studies for a few years, and people often express how uncertain they are in doing the same. Teenagers especially intimidate people. I’ve decided to put together a few tricks of the trade that apply to most any age group. I hope you find them helpful.
Eliminate distractions.
Distractions are the biggest enemy of spiritual growth, and they can sneak up in a verity of ways. The most obvious is the sounds and movement of the space. It’s important to find an atmosphere that is comfortable and allows students to feel safe. Sounds from down the hall or a buzzing phone in someone’s pocket present challenging obstacles for students to bond and share.
There are other kinds of distractions that are more spiritual or emotionally driven. It’s always a good idea to cover any small group or Bible study in prayer, and to address any anxiety or tragedy that might hinder the work at hand. Or, better yet, if there is an emotional or spiritual distraction (like a death in the community or neglect among friends) make sure to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in seeing if this distraction really needs to be center focus.
Ask meaningful, open-ended questions.
Small Groups and Bible Studies should present opportunities for thoughtful conversation. Any discussion questions should be planed before hand and thoroughly considered. If the group leader is doing most of the talking then it is no longer a Small Group but a lecture, and students tend get enough of that at school.
During early Methodism, people would gather together in class meetings to discuss a single question: “How is it with your soul?” Although that sort of langue may not be helpful for young people today, it’s important to keep in mind that Small Groups are not looking to educate the mind but to transform the heart and soul.
Listen and make connections.
Active listening is crucial to leading a Bible Study or Small Group. When students are speaking, make sure you are not formulating your next point, but make eye contact and give verbal feedback. When the student is done put their statement into your own words and try to point out how it may connect with the ideas of other students or the topic at hand.
Be prepared for a student to offer a thought that is completely off topic. It’s ok. This is still a space where they can express their thoughts without judgment. If the comment seems to take focus from the experience of other students then ask to follow up with them after the group has concluded.
Do not ask students to share things you are unwilling to share yourself.
Young people can smell inauthenticity. Small Groups and Bible Studies are about being vulnerable and honest as a group, and if you are unwilling to share in the same way you ask your students to share then they have no reason to trust you.
Whatever you offer does not have to come from your adolescents either. There are some limits, but students need to be aware of the challenges of adult life if that’s what most applies to the topic at hand.
Embrace the silence.
Silence in a Small Group or Bible Study is essentially a Game of Chicken. Most people are afraid to respond to a question first because it draws attention and makes them vulnerable. But, silence is awkward, and if you’re willing to wait out everyone else, then eventually one of the students will break the ice.
However, if you continually have difficulty getting student to respond verbally then there are ways to take the pressure off: give the students paper and ask them to write or draw their thoughts first so they have time to think; have them share first with a partner and then report back to the group; have them respond anonymously on paper then pull their responses at random for the group to discuss.
Teach from who you are.
Parker Palmer once wrote, “good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.”
Leading a Small Group or teaching a Bible Study is a calling from God, and your efforts in teaching are a faithful response to that call. You will never have all the answers and there will be times you don’t know what to do. The thing is, if you find your identity in Christ then most students will learn more about Jesus just by knowing you. They will learn to be passionate if you are passionate, and they will learn to be faithful if you are faithful.
Discipling others is a holy calling which, although challenging, is immensely rewarding. It builds your spirit and integrity, and cannot be separated from who you are in Christ. If you are filled up in God’s Holy Spirit then you will overflow into the lives of others, and your efforts will not be in vain.
Kena Hawkins Newkirk 