We have all sat through our share of boring lectures. You’ve probably been lectured by your parents when you were growing up, maybe more than once. Odds are, you’ve also been lectured by a teacher in school or your supervisor at work. And if you’ve attended a small group Bible study at your church for any length of time, you’ve probably been lectured there too.
Most people seem content with one-way communication when it comes to the pastor’s sermon. But when it comes to a small group Bible study, one-way communication is often not enough. When people gather for a Sunday school class or an in-home community group they are usually looking for an opportunity to interact with one another and ask questions about the lesson. Even if the comments or questions are off topic, they are proof that the participants expect to participate in the lesson.
In my next post I will suggest 5 tips for teaching the Bible through discussion without missing the point. In this post I will point out 4 major challenges to leading an effective and interactive small group.
1. Distractions
Depending on the format and location of your gathering you may have to deal with noise from other groups, young children, or others passing by. You may also have to deal with those who misunderstand the nature of study or the point of the lesson by repeatedly steering the discussion off topic.
2. Dominant Personalities
Some people feel the need to be the center of attention everywhere they go. Even though they may not realize it, they dominate the discussion and make others feel uncomfortable.
3. Disinterested people
People come to a small group Bible study for different reasons. Some come on their own because they are genuinely interested. Others come because they have been forced to come or manipulated into coming by someone else. Even people who have the best intentions sometimes struggle to express themselves or connect with certain topics or discussions.
4. Delicate egos
Meaningful Bibles studies are bound to touch on sensitive issues from time to time. Even when handled delicately, some people are still offended or hurt. They may be carrying excessive emotional baggage or have an agenda, but these people allow their thin skin to spoil the group’s atmosphere.
What have I left out? What challenges have you come across while leading an effective and interactive small group Bible study?