Elsewhere I have written that a small group Bible study is best conducted through discussion, and the role of the study leader is not as a teacher but a facilitator (see here). It may be helpful to understand how a discussion works by visualising the dynamics at play in a small study group.¹

Teaching

Let me begin by contrasting a teaching situation and a small group discussion. In the classic teaching set-up, the students sit in rows; everyone faces forward and looks at the teacher. They don’t see each other’s faces, only the teacher’s.

The “conversation” is primarily one-directional and a monologue—from teacher to students. The students may raise questions, but only the teacher is expected to give the answers. The teacher is the primary (and often, the only) source of learning for the group.

Discussion

A discussion is depicted diagrammatically (and literally) with all the participants sitting in a circle. The study leader is part of the circle. Sitting in a circle allows everyone to see each other, look into each other’s eyes, observe expressions, engage, and relate with one another.

It is not a good idea to have more than one layer of people. No one should be sitting behind another person. Everyone should be able to have eye-contact with every person in the group.

This is especially necessary for the leader who uses eye-contact to convey connection and attention as well as understanding and acceptance to the other participants. More than that, when he (or she) is able to see everyone’s face he is able to read their body language. Are they lost, bored, engaged, or ready for an opportunity to contribute to the conversation?

In a discussion, the study leader leads and facilitates the dialogue (depicted by the full lines). However, the goal is to get everyone to participate and contribute to the discussion (depicted by the dotted lines).

What is important to note is that the lines of communication are not just between the leader and the others, but also between the members of the group. If the conversation were just between the leader and each member, then the dynamics would be a “quiz”. The leader asks a question and someone responds. Then, back to the leader who follows up with a comment and/or another question. The cycle is then repeated. In this case, the leader is not functioning as a facilitator but a quiz master. However, a discussion, by definition, is only assumed to have taken place if members of the group interact with one another. One of the key jobs of the study leader then is to facilitate this interaction between members.

Discussions are Tailored-Made for Cell Groups

Preaching, teaching, and discussion have their particular usefulness. All these means of learning should be employed in the church. Which method is used, however, depends on one, the purpose of the engagement and two, the setting of the learning environment. I won’t repeat what I have written elsewhere (see here).

In the context of a small group or cell group, I believe the primary means of learning should be through discussion—not preaching or teaching. Churches would do well to train all who are tasked with the job of leading the cell group Bible study to ably facilitate good discussions. Discussions that are interesting and engaging. Discussions that help members discover and uncover what the Bible says about the subject under study. And discussions that provoke personal reflection and encourage life application.

In my previous blog post I explained why conducting Bible study through small group discussion is a good thing (see here). For one, it fosters active learning. Secondly, it has the advantages of group learning. And thirdly, it is more interesting than listening to a monologue.

The Role of the Study Leader

The role of the study leader then, is not that of a preacher or teacher, but a facilitator. He or she facilitates a discussion around (or about) the topic (or Bible text). But it is not a conversation that’s just goes around in circles. A discussion has progression (or direction) that ultimately leads to a clear outcome (or conclusion).

In this regard, the study leader steers the conversation around the topic. He guides the members to make contributions that are relevant to the focus of the study. If the discussion goes awry, the leader brings it back on track. If the discussion gets stuck, he moves it along. If a member of the group isn’t contributing to the conversation, he encourages him or her to participate. If someone is hogging the conversation, he tactfully gets others to share. At the end of the study, he brings the discussion to a close with a clear conclusion; including a take home point from the study.

The Method of the Study Leader

The study leader has many tools at his disposal to accomplish the above. It bears repeating that the leader’s job is not to preach or teach; his job is to facilitate a group discussion. As the group does this, they discover together; the meaning of a Bible text or what the Bible has to say about a certain topic. To aid the group in the process of discovery and to enable the facilitator to carry out his role, one of the most important tools the leader uses are questions.

Questions to help the members study the Bible text; questions of observation, interpretation, and application. Questions to move the conversation along. Questions to get a member to clarify his point or expand on what he said. And questions to get the group to think more deeply about a certain point.

The study leader is often temped to answer his own questions, especially when the group is slow to respond. But he must strongly resist! It wouldn’t be a discussion if the leader were to pose a question only to supply the answer himself. This does not mean that the leader does not come prepared with answers. He does. But he only shares it when it’s necessary to do so or by way of rounding off a segment of the discussion and as a conclusion to the study.

Question Techniques

Here are some dos and don’ts for discussion leaders regarding asking questions:

1. Avoid questions that assume an answer.
2. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
3. Avoid questions that are too simple.
4. Ask one question at a time. Ensure that the question is clear and focused on one specific item.
5. Don’t be afraid of some silence. Resist answering your own questions too quickly.
6. Ask questions, then direct them.
7. Answer questions coming from the group with another question.
8. Redirect questions.
9. If questions come in a rush, sort them out and deal with them individually.
10. Respond to wrong and irrelevant questions tactfully.
11. Respond to difficult questions or questions asked at a wrong time by deferring them.
12. Keep the discussion going by:

• • • Asking for further responses from others.
    • Follow up on responses with another question.
    • Look out for members who show signs of wanting to say something, especially if they are usually quiet, and give them an opportunity to contribute to the discussion.

Bottom line: The group Bible study leader facilitates a discussion by asking good and relevant questions.

You may want to read my article “The Dynamics of a Group Bible Study Discussion.“