Using Discussion Questions in Small Groups

Talking Points:

• Understand the purpose of each question. 
  • Ice-breakers. Some questions are included just to get people talking. These are usually non-threatening. They don’t have a “right” answer and are often related to people’s personal experiences.
  • Basic review. These questions help the group review the basic content. They help insure that the group can identify the basic ideas presented.
  • Exploration. These questions help the group explore and discover the truth. They will build on the basic concept by asking for interpretations and implications.
  • Bible engagement. Some questions are designed to get people into the Bible – either a passage from the topic or a related passage. These questions involve reading a Bible passage together and talking about it what it says and means. They can function for basic review or for exploration.
  • Self-reflection. Certain questions ask for deeper or more intimate personal reflection. These can be more threatening because they call for greater self-disclosure.
  • Application. There are always some questions that seek to identify how the truth works out in practice in our lives. The final question each week is designed for this purpose. Don’t ignore it. Take some time to talk about personal action steps.
• Tailor the questions to your group. You don’t have to use all of them. The questions are meant to catalyze a conversation. Develop the skill of adding follow-up questions spontaneously, whenever they are needed to nudge the conversation forward. For example: “What do you think about that?”
• Assigning questions for others to lead is a great way to start preparing people to lead their own groups some day. One of your key tasks as a leader is to develop the people in your group.