LEADING BIBLE DISCUSSIONS

 I. Is it important for us to do a good job teaching the Scriptures?

1. II Tim. 2:15 We will be accountable to God for our teaching.
2. II Tim. 3:16 Effective teaching will profit the sheep
   

1. Coming to a conclusion by studying the text (no preconceived ideas)
2. Investigating the facts, then making conclusions and applications.
3. Acts 17:11 Berean example
4. Result: correct doctrine, correct understanding, correct application.

1. Pray: for insight into the truth, for the congregations, that your teaching will be effective and change lives.
2. Study
   
   
   1. Find out what a passage is saying (observe)
      1. Read the text
      2. Note the context of the passage
      3. Note the characters, what is happening, when is the event taking place
      4. (Sabbath, Pentecost), where do the events occur (Jerusalem, mountainside), how do the events occur (what is the sequence of events)
      5. What seems to be the author's main point of the message.
   2. Find out what the passage means (interpret)
      1. Bring out the meaning of the passage for the people to whom it was written.
      2. Relive the events, how did the Jews understand this?
   3. Find out what the passage means tome (application)
      1. Apply the main point to your life
      2. Apply the main point to the church
      3. Remember that there is only one correct interpretation of the text and many applications.
      4. Make applications concrete:
         1. how should this truth change my attitude
         2. how should this truth change my way of thinking
         3. how should this truth effect my relationships with others  
            1. EXAMPLE: John 8:48-59 (observe, interpret, apply)
   4. A good library is essential
      1. commentaries
      2. dictionaries
      3. Bible dictionary
      4. Concordance
      5. topical Bible
      6. Bible encyclopedia

1. Review your notes and formulate a Specific Aim. Example: My aim is to teach specific truth in order that the congregation will respond in an appropriate manner.  
2. If you do not know what your aim is the group will be lost.  
3. Next formulate good logical questions.
   1. What is a bad question? Yes/no? Does the passage say lying is sin?
   2. What is a good question? What does the passage say about lying?
   3. Ask observation questions to begin. (set the scene)
      1. Who is there?
      2. What is going on?
      3. When did this happen?
      4. Where is the event talking place?
   4. Formulate good interpretation questions to understand the meaning.
      1. Why are the events significant to the people of the times?
      2. What are the implications of the events in the passage?
         1. Examples: Why did Jesus choose to ride on a donkey when He came into Jerusalem? Why did the people want to kill Jesus when He said your sins are forgiven?
   5. Formulate good application questions.
      1. Do not assume that people will make appropriate applications.
      2. Guide them into a proper response.
      3. Examples: If Jesus was claiming to be King in this passage, are you serving the King as you. If Jesus has the authority to forgive sins, have you gone to Him, confessed your sins?

1. Is each question clear? Concise?
2. Are the questions in a good logical sequence?
3. Is there good balance between Observations, Interpretation, and Application.
4. Is my aim/purpose clear?
5. Is that application pointed?
6. Have you fit the lesson to the time?

1. What if someone asks a question you were not prepared for?
2. What if someone dominates?
3. Do not answer your own questions. >
4. DO NOT FORGET TO PRAY.

1. Practical suggestion for leading discussion Pg 29,30
2. How to use questions effectively Pg. 32,33
3. Small group stereotypes Pg 35,36
4. Common Problems Pg. 37,38
5. Conflict Pg 37-41

1. Bible Study: exploratory, discussion
2. Worship: testimonies, sharing experiences, etc.

1. Will vary according to purpose of specific format.
   1. Worship leader:
      
      1. get to know each other better: history, prayer
      2. develop deeper bonds: affirmation (most difficult
      3. time, struggle), koinonia
      4. develop a common vision: goal setting (brainstorming, open meeting, etc)
         
2. Create atmosphere where a deepening intimacy can be developed whereby people are able to become vulnerable with others to the point where they are able to become conscious of and to share the different levels of their being even if it is at variance with the group. In this way their values are able influence the values of the church; they may be discarded, embraced, or tolerated as a differing point of view. 
   
3. Bible study leader:
   Develop questions and guide discussion (along with using other interactive techniques) in such a way at to draw out the deepest possible depth of a participant's being to interact with the scripture and one another to bring about a change in the life of the participant. "The measure of our success is never how much material we cover, but how much the disciples lives are changed!"
   
   1. Be sensitive to KAGS (pg 15). Use methods which fit objective.  
   2. Be sensitive so as not to deal with deep issues superficially in such a way as to heal people lightly.
   3. Get to deeper levels. Never settle for behavior without touching attitudes and affections. Never settle for truth without touching presuppositions and worldviews. Why Believe/What believe? Display consequences.  

Honeymoon
Conflict
Love
Mission

1. Don't be afraid to offer refreshments before the study (coffee, etc.)
2. Makes sure you personally welcome and chat with those that are new.
3. Don't be afraid to joke.
4. Let the people know how long the study will be, where you are going; do your best to stick to it. (Don't be afraid to leave them hungry and wanting more. Better that than to leave them overstuffed.)
5. You may want to provide Bibles for them.
6. Make sure you welcome questions. Remember the only bad question is the one not asked! Also, don't come across as having a "know-it-all" attitude.
7. Make it clear you do not have all the answers, but will find answers if you need to.

1. Keep in mind you are looking for maximum interaction, so do not do all the talking.
2. Have good eye contact, and draw them into the discussion.
3. Take you time, and be sensitive to those who are having trouble finding books of the Bible.
4. Encourage comments and questions from the group, without calling on individuals. (Do not ask someone to read unless you know they won't mind.)
   
5. Expect wrong answers. Through the answers you will learn where the person is coming from, and know better where to concentrate with them. "In a sense, when you lead a group through a passage, it is like using a shotgun. You aim in a general direction, but that is the best you can do. But when people respond, they come out into the open field and you can pick up a rifle and aim for bullseye!"
   Bob Jacks
6. The only negative side to people asking questions is an inappropriate response. So keep a few things in mind:
   1. Never register shock. Let them know you accept them.
   2. Try to say something positive. Say something like, "Good question", "excellent", "that is an interesting idea".
   3. Throw the question back out to the group for other responses; many times it gets cleaned up there. Ask, "What do the rest of you think?", "What else do you see", "What can someone else discover?"
   4. Reword the question; they may not understand it the first time.
   5. Never embarrass the person by saying "No! That is not right."
7. Respond to people by their name.
8. Look at people intently when they are talking to you, as if they are the most important person in the world.
9. If you do not know the answer, say so. Ask if anyone else has any ideas about the answer.
10. Do not waste time on foolish questions like, "Where did Cain get his wife?" , Keep focused and above all do not argue. (I usually tell people to keep their minds off other men's wives!)

1. Time goes by fast. "Well, it is time for us to end our study and enjoy the refreshments and fellowship."
   
   
2. The time after the study is just as important as the study itself. Greet and get to know visitors.
3. Let people know that after the study is also a good time to ask questions about the study.
4. Do not forget to let people know when the next study is and what it will be on. Keep them interested.
5. Look for those most likely to hide or run away and take the initiative to talk to them.