1. Arrange to Include!  Have all group members in a circle.  Do not allow a second row of by-standers or eavesdroppers!

2.  Prime the Pump!  Try to get everyone to talk at least once during the icebreaker time to increase the possibility they will talk during the Bible study time

3. Designate the leader!  If there are two leaders, agree upon one to serve as leader and the other as assistant. 

4. Spread the Energy!  Spread leaders out evenly around the circle.

5. Affirm, Affirm, Affirm!  Affirmation encourages further conversation.

6. Facilitate, Don’t Teach!  Lead with questions rather than statements or answers!

7. Share!  Make sure the students get equal talk time – don’t allow a few talkers to dominate.

8. Embrace the Silence!  During awkward times of silence do not talk, wait for group participants to break the silence.

9. Prepare!  Always be well prepared for leading the opening activity and the lesson.

10. Schedule time blocks!  Budget a set amount of time for each part of the Bible study and try to follow your schedule as you lead.

11. Pray, Pray, Pray!  This is a spiritual journey that the host of evil does not want any of us to participate in.  Therefore we must pray earnestly and work diligently!

12. Rest in God’s ability to lead your group!

 

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it know to you.” (Words of Jesus in John 16:13-14)

 

“As rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  (Isaiah 55:10-11)