Eat, Learn, Pray, Help - Part 3

The early church experienced Biblical community by embracing four practices.  They would eat together, learn together, pray together, and help together.  Let's focus on the second practice--"eat together."  Acts 2:42 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching..."  Each time a Connection Group meets, there is a portion of the meeting designed to facilitate learning together as we study a curriculum.  Here's 5 ways to add a fresh spark to your group discussion and make the impact of the lesson last:        

1.  Use the Translations - Sometimes a different translation of the Bible can provide fresh perspective on a common verse.  As you prepare, consider looking at what another translation says, even if it's not the translation used in the curriculum.  The New Living Translation or The Message can often communicate the truth in a powerful way.

2.  Pick the Right Questions - The curriculum we use offers connect questions (introduces the topic), grow questions (takes the study deeper), and serve questions (focuses on application and serving others).  Only pick the best questions--the right questions will be different for each group.  If there's seven questions, but only five of them are really meaningful to you, focus on those.  Also, if you come across a hard question, make it a priority.  The hard questions are designed to take the study deeper--depth requires mind-stretching thought.  For members that complain the study is not deep enough, the hard questions will be most helpful. 

3.  Ask, "What is God Doing?" - After spending some time in study and before you pray together, consider asking your group if they would share what God is currently doing in their life.  Take volunteers and assure the group that it doesn't have to be anything complicated.  Often the simple lessons are the most life-transforming.  You might even go first by saying, "Let me take 60 seconds to tell you what God has been doing in my life."  Then after you share, ask, "Would somebody else like to take a minute to share what God has been teaching you or doing in you?"  If your answer to the question is transparent, others will more likely open up as well.  Sometimes the "learn together" part of your meeting can be really rich when others here real-life examples of how God works.

4.  Give an Assignment - In preparation for the next session, you might ask your group to complete a simple assignment such as reading a particular chapter, memorizing a verse, reading an article online, or listening to a specific song.  If you email the reminder along with a link to a relevant site, it will help the process.

5.  Provide a Summary - Consider emailing a summary of your lesson a couple days after you meet.  This will provide reinforcement for what the group is learning together.  You might even follow-up in your next meeting by asking how others have applied what they've learned.  

These are just a few ideas to get you started.  I share some additional insights in the following brief audio link, "5 Ways to Cultivate Great Discussion."  What ideas have you found helpful for making the "Learn Together" part of your group meaningful?