“Guiding Gospel Conversations”
Just when you thought we were done with our Getting to Square One Guided Study, in Episode 226, we’re back at it, diving deep into some practical stuff about leading gospel studies. We hope this will be helpful as we gear up for our full Square One Guided Study this season. Think of this as a little behind-the-scenes chat about how we approach guiding these conversations.
Here are the seven key questions we tackled:
1. How Do You Get Started?
Sometimes it feels like the hardest part is just asking. Don't feel like you need some perfect setup. Just be real and invite someone. Prayer is huge – pray for them and for yourself. It's not about having all the answers, it's about walking together. At some point, you just have to go for it, and take the leap!
2. How Much Should You Prepare?
You don't need a PhD, but it helps to know the material. For Square One, I'd say walk through the session yourself first. Understand what each of the five parts is trying to do. That way, you're ready to jump in and participate. You want to have a general idea of where things are going so you can be a helpful guide.
3. What If They Ask a Hard Question You Don't Know the Answer To?
It happens all the time! Keep a blank page handy to jot down questions. Don't feel pressured to know everything right away. It's totally fine to say, "That's a great question, let's come back to that." We can learn together!
4. How Do You Set Expectations?
Be upfront about what to expect. For Square One, we mentioned that it starts a little lighter and then gets into some heavier topics. Let them know it's a conversation, not a lecture. You want them to feel comfortable and know that their thoughts and questions are valued.
5. How Do You Guide the Conversation?
Think of it like having a general guide, not a rigid itinerary. You want to lead them, not drag them. For Square One, there are waypoint questions that help keep things on track. We like to think of it as using a compass rather than a map – pointing towards Jesus but allowing for some flexibility along the way. And don't be afraid of a side-tangent if it feels important to them.
6. How Do You Ask and Answer Questions?
Silence is golden, unless it's really awkward! Give them time to think before jumping in. And if a question isn't quite landing, try rephrasing it. That 10-second rule is so true – people need that space to process. And in Square One, it’s important to have a ready answer for yourself first. Hearing someone else's story hopefully helps us think about what we can offer. Remember, the questions are the biggest part of the study.
7. How Do You Conclude a Study?
Two big things: appreciating and acknowledging what happened. Thank them for taking the time to talk deeply about God's Word – that's a big deal. Also, point out any ground they covered – maybe they had a new insight, read a passage, or asked for prayer. And have a clear idea for the next conversation. Maybe leave them with a question or something to read. For Square One, we always try to close with prayer and check in on the weekly challenge.
So there you have it – our thoughts on how to approach leading a gospel study. It's all about trusting the gospel to do its work, being prepared but flexible, listening well, and genuinely caring about the person you're walking alongside. You can dig even deeper by checking out the whole conversation and the show notes at biblegeeks.fm/226.