Though small groups are more than group discussion, they're certainly not less. The overall impact of your small group will be largely affected by the quality of group discussion. The following guidelines will help you improve the quality of your group discussions.
The leader guide you'll receive on a weekly basis will include a number questions you can use to lead group discussion. However, the quality of discussion will only increase as leaders learn to ask impromptu questions in response to answers that people give.
SeeHow to Ask Good Questions to learn more about the kind of questions you should be asking.
You can't just jump to high-risk questions. Meaningful engagement with high-risk questions will only come as a result of trust built over time. As trust deepens in your group, high-risk questions will gain traction.
Allow people to think and process. Don’t answer your own questions or you will train your group to just wait for your answer.
Most groups have a combination of personalities. You may need to dial down the extroverted and draw out the introverted. The most outspoken person may not share the most helpful things. The least outspoken person may have the best things to share.
Don’t expect everyone to contribute equally, but do expect each person to contribute.
Because God’s word is sufficient, it tells us what’s right (doctrine), what's not right (reproof), how to get right (correction), and how to stay right (training).
Because God’s word is sufficient, counsel from God’s word and not your opinion. Don’t appeal to the flesh (what a person wants to hear).
Questions to ask: What is the manner of your life in relationship to these things? How did the sermon convict you and drive you to action? How can you take action today?
Don’t be afraid to get specific: What will you do about what you know? When? How? Why?