In recent years, group pastoral of churches in the emerging cities has become one of the important models, and it is also one of the contents discussed by churches. However, some challenges and problems faced in the process of group pastoral also must be considered for urban churches.
A brother who was responsible for training group leader shares several problems that we might encounter in the group study.
Q1: If there is no response for your question, what should you do?
If you encounter such a similar situation, brother Qian reminds everyone not to be nervous first, and then you needs to think about the reasons for silence. He also pointed out that there may be four reasons: the group members do not understand the meaning of the question; the question is too simple; the question is too complicated; the group members are thinking about how to answer the question; finally you deal with it for the reason of silence.
If the group member do not understand the question, then you need to repeat the question. If the question is too complicated, you need to break it down and make the question easier. If the question is too simple, then you can answer it yourself. If everyone is thinking about it, then you need to give some time for them.
Q2: What should you do if some members like to speak too much?
When such a situation happened, brother Qian pointed out several suggestions:
After he/she makes a statement, you should direct the discussion to other members.
Minimize your visual contact with him/her.
It is best not to sit opposite him.
Before the Bible study, tell all group members that that everyone should have opportunities to answer questions.
If it doesn't work, you can just directly ask other members questions.
Q3: What should you do if some members don't like to talk?
Increase your visual contact with him/her.
Sitting opposite him/her
If he/she speaks, be sure to give him/her a certain
Ask him/her directly
You can ask him/her to read the Bible verses.
Q4: What should you do when the discussion is obviously off-topic?
Try to be back to the Bible as much as possible.
The discussion is very good, but is it related to the scriptures we examined today?
Everyone's discussion is very interesting and important, but we don't have so much time now. can we put it down first, and then discuss it after the Bible study? Now let's move on to the next question.
Q5: What should you do if there is a dispute or a conflict in the Bible study?
In fact, different opinions often stimulate everybody's interest and thinking.
If the dispute is between two members, then give the question to other members of the group.
More importantly, remember to shift the focus from the human points of view to the Bible.
Sometimes you can summarize these different points of view to end the debate and then propose to discuss them later.
If the unsolved problem is a very important issue, it is best to give an explanation next time.
Q6: Prayer
Prayer at the beginning and end of the Bible study.
Pray during the Bible study.
There will be some difficult situations in the discussion process, then you can pray silently in your heart. At the end of the Bible study, set aside time to pray: pray for each person's Bible application and what they have learned.
-Translated by Heirs Han
