the    sides

All that has been given up to this point will make us better interpreters and better conduits of the Spirit. The disciplines will give us enough “fuel in the tank” to have the ability to minister out of the overflow. That, however, does not always mean will be better communicators of those experiences. So how do we take WHAT we have learned and communicate it in an effective way?

The basic guideline I’d give you is this - learn to lead by asking questions, not giving directions. I challenge you to try to lead only using questions. With that in place, here are some basic “rules” of planning a discussion.

Start with the END in mind. What questions or crossroads do you want to be at the end of the night? Work backwards from there.

Don’t use 10 words when 4 will do. Along the same line, don’t illustrate the illustration.

Don’t answer most questions. We want people to engage the living God, so don’t rush in to answer every question.

Give the Spirit some space to interact with the rest of the group.

Ask more questions than you think you will ever use.

Be visual.

ALWAYS use the back door first. Take your crew on a journey. Don’t start the lesson off by saying “Tonight, I am going to tell you the 35 reasons why you should believe this!” Give some room and time for them to come to that conclusion on their own.

Next Session: Inductive Bible Study