Leading Dynamic Discussions

Whether you are leading a Bible Study eGroup, Sermon Series eGroup, or an activity-based eGroup, leading discussions within the eGroup can go a long way towards the success (or failure) of the group.  When you are equipped to manage and lead a dynamic discussion, your eGroup will be in a better place to see the lives of your group members impacted.

For some of you, this can be intimidating.  For some of you, it makes you nervous to understand that your ability to maneuver your eGroup through a topic has implications and tangible results.  But, here is the good news:  you do not have to know all the answers to lead a great discussion.  In fact, it is probably better that you do not have all the answers to lead a great discussion.

When you are leading a discussion, you are acting as a conduit to the eGroup members talking and sharing.  You are more of a facilitator than teacher.  You are more of a guide to the discussion than a professor giving a lecture.  So, if you are worried about having to monopolize the conversation or carry the entire discussion time, stop.

Here are some practical tips to leading a great discussion:

• Before the Discussion Begins: Use an icebreaker to begin the discussion time.  You have to understand that talking is contagious.  When you get someone talking about their favorite movie or favorite meal, or their first date with their spouse, they are more likely to continue to talk when the discussion turns to the topic at hand.  So, have a question that is light-hearted and fun to kick off the discussion time; make sure it is a question that everyone can answer and everyone will have fun with.
• Start Broad and General, and Work Toward Specific: If you are using your own questions for the discussion or if you are guiding the group through a topic, start broad and general.  Ask questions that relate to the overall Church, society as a whole, the culture we live in, or a topic that believers and non-believers would relate to.  Then, work the questions to a more specific or narrow scope.  Ask questions that relate to their lives or their walk with God.  Be sure that you drive the application points of the discussion time at or near the end of the discussion.
• Ask Open-Ended Questions and Follow-Up Questions: As much as possible, you should avoid questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no."  These types of questions tend to cut off discussions and disrupt the flow of conversation.  If you cannot get around asking the question in this format, be prepared to ask some follow up questions.  Some sample follow-up questions might include:
  • Why or Why Not?
  • What makes you feel that way?
  • How do you feel about that?

These types of questions can go a long way in building discussions and gaining momentum among the group around the topic.

• Use Illustrative Supplements: There are bound to be a handful of people in your eGroup who are visual by nature.  They are drawn into the discussion by visual illustrations and supplements.  Keep these people in mind and keep them engaged.  Be creative and use note cards, whiteboards, index cards, or other ideas.  Or, even require the group members to be holding an object, such as a football or pencil, to be able to speak or share.  This adds to the discussion.
• The Three B?s: Require that the answers from each eGroup member to be brief, Biblical, and beneficial.  This will allow the talkative person in the eGroup to know there is a limit, and it will allow the quiet person in the eGroup to be confident in their brevity.  This guideline will also challenge the members to make sure their answers fall in line with Scripture.
• Remember, You are the Facilitator, Not the Lecturer: Always remember that you are not required to preach a sermon or give a lecture.  In fact, in most cases, the less that you speak, the better.  Now, you will need to manage the conversation, call someone out when they say something that goes against Scripture or the culture of Elevation Church, or keep it from going off into a tangent.  But, overall, your eGroup members will grow more and be challenged more when they are engaged in the discussion instead of listening to you teach.

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• Do you have a tendency to monopolize the conversation in any situation?   Are you comfortable with facilitating the discussion and not doing most of the talking in the eGroup setting?
• Are you comfortable with driving people from broad and general topics to a discussion that is more introspective and personal?
• The old saying goes, "Sharing is contagious."  How can you apply this thought to leading a discussion within your eGroup?  How can you play this situation out within your eGroup setting?

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