Small Groups

Three small group veterans have submitted their favorite questions and question-asking strategies. Maybe they will become your favorites too!

The Six Best Bible Study Questions Ever!

The art of asking good questions is perhaps one of the most useful skills of an effective small group leader. At the same time, it is this one task that every small group leader labors over.

When leading the Bible study portion of a small group meeting there are two main objectives: participation of every member and life change as a result of the study.

After 15 years of leading a small group, I have narrowed my questions down to just a few, relevant, timeless questions. There are no right or wrong answers and there will often, if not always, be a variety of ways a particular scripture is seen and understood. This makes Bible study both exciting and soul searching.

• What stands out to you in this passage?
• What seems to be the main point of this passage?
• What is the promise, command, or truth of this passage?
• If you really believed the Word we have studied tonight, how would it change your life?
• What is God saying to you right now?
• How will you live differently tomorrow because of what we have studied today?

Truth and Dare

As a child, I can remember getting together with a group of friends and playing "Truth or Dare." My heart would pound as I debated whether to tell a personal truth or risk completing a challenging dare. I would weigh the cost, trying to choose the one that caused me the least amount of humiliation. It was fun, exciting, and fairly safe because I could choose what I wanted to do.

As I live the Christian life, it often looks like I am playing this child's game of vulnerability. It seems that I repeatedly choose to speak God's truth but don't dare let others see how far I am from living it out. My human nature begs me to choose the easy way, the way that makes me look capable, confident, and in control.

But, Paul speaks to me today from Ephesians 3:12 as he says, "When we trust in Him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go." In short, with God I can fearlessly live a 'Truth and Dare' life.

I am also challenged by Paul's words as a small group leader. I want to offer each person in my group the environment to experience God's Truth and the daring opportunity to be changed by Him.

I don't ask 'Truth OR Dare' questions, I ask 'Truth AND Dare' questions that:

Challenge each person to CONNECT with the truth of God's Word.

In these verses, what is God revealing to you right now about Himself, His purpose, and/or His ways?

Ask them to CONSIDER the value and benefits of God's commands.

What are God's promises for you in this passage of scripture?

Offer the opportunity for them to COMMIT to apply the truth to their daily life.

Based on what we have discussed tonight, what is God asking you to do in your personal life, your family, your small group, and/or your work?

'Truth and Dare' questions such as these bring God's Truth into the midst of our lives and dare us to be different.

Getting To Know You

This series of questions has been very effective for the comfort level and cohesion of any group of teens.

Give each group member one of the following questions written on a piece of paper. Then, assign everyone to a partner, one he does not know well. Have each of the duos ask one another their assigned questions and to give thoughtful, sharing answers. At brief intervals ring a bell and ask each one to find a new partner. Repeat the interview until everyone has had a chance to speak with each person

An excellent application of this exercise is that if we are instructed to love one another, it is much easier if we actually know one another. Furthermore, if we set our lives and hearts on a course of loving Jesus, part of this is knowing HIM, asking Him questions, and telling HIM about ourselves. Students can make a prayer by talking to Christ about each one of these questions.

• What three things do you hope for your future?
• What is the one thing you wish that you could change about yourself?
• How often do you cry?
• When was the last time you felt really nervous?
• What two things set you apart from other people?
• Do you feel you are friendly and easy to talk to? Why or why not?
• Where do you feel most safe or secure?
• What is something that really scares you?
• Are you a patient person? Why or why not?
• What would you want in a boyfriend/girlfriend? (Besides the obvious smart, funny, good-looking)
• What things do you most want in your life now that you do not have?
• In a group, do you want to blend in or stand out? Why?
• Where would you rather be than here? Why?
• What feeling/aspect of yourself do you wish you could better express/communicate to your friends?
• What would you like to change in your life?

After the group reconvenes, these issues can be talked about together as the larger group. Once the answers have been spoken to another person, it is easier to discuss them as a group.