Monthly column for youth leaders

Joe Cool saunters into the room. He's up to date with the latest films and music. He can talk football or Kylie until your ears drop off. 'Hey dude, how's it going?'

After about 15 minutes of small talk, he changes tone and admits that the Bible study had better start, 'After all that's what it's all about, right?' The Bible study's great, Joe's got some funny stories and he really seems to know the Bible well. The trouble is that afterwards the boys can remember the stories but can't recall what the passage was all about. 'But, hey, Joe's great, isn't he?'

Anxious enquiries

Jane Nervy slips in quietly. She sits on the floor close by the door and doesn't make eye contact. She waits a long time to be noticed and starts with a rather timid, 'Do you want to quieten down and find your Bibles?' Of course, this is only a suggestion, so the mayhem continues for another five minutes.

Then one of the girls nudges another. 'I think Jane wants to start.' Five more minutes finding Bibles and eventually all the girls are lying on the beds ready to listen. Jane stumbles through a prayer and quietly introduces the topic. By now two of the girls are deep back in conversation about the boys in the oldest dorm.

RSM

Jack Boot marches into the room. 'Right', he barks, 'time to sit down and shut up.' A couple more minutes yelling and there is silence. The group sit in a regimented line, arms folded, Bibles at the ready. Jack prays for what seems like an age and then it's Numbers. Not Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers ... but Bible study by numbers. First, read the verse. Second, ask the question. Allow a ten second pause. Third, answer the question for them, because they really haven't got a clue. He thinks, 'It's a good thing I'm here to drum them into shape!'

Nice

Josie Slouch mooches into the room. 'Can anybody find my Bible? I think I left it here last night.' The missing book is hauled out from under a bed and she begins to leaf through it to find the notes. 'Right, er, perhaps you'd better sit down.' Josie needs help; she can't remember where the study was yesterday. She can't remember everyone's names. She thinks she heard another leader give a clever answer to that question, but it's gone. She's winging it, but she's doing all right. Smile a lot, and let them do the talking. Friendliness is next to godliness.

The usual suspects?

Do you recognise anyone? Probably you are none of these leaders, but you can spot some of the warning signs emphasised. You've been in a Bible study led by one, or you can identify with some of these traits yourself. Are you so laid back, like Joe, that reading the Bible comes second to your image? Do you have difficulty establishing control like Jane? Or perhaps like Jack, control is something you need to let go of a little? Are you under-prepared like Josie, just used to muddling through?

The truth about a camp dorm or a church small group is that it is an area of great impact on the young people. They will talk about camps for months afterwards. The regularity of a weekly group is of enormous effect. So we need to be absolutely on top of our small group Bible studies and realise their importance.

Obvious answers

The antidotes to these over exaggerated problems are obvious. Josie needs to be better prepared. She needs to listen when the leaders are going through the study beforehand. She needs to keep her Bible handy and demonstrate its importance by not losing it under the bed. Joe Cool needs to come down a peg or two. He may be a great role model in some areas, but he must put more emphasis on the Bible study and be a great role model there too. He must recognise his gift of communication and use it to better effect in teaching the Bible.
Jack and Jane need to meet each other half way between their personalities. Jane needs to assert some authority to get things going and to remind her dorm that Bible study needs concentration and participation. Jack needs to relax a little. Good discussions cannot be regimented and need some freedom. He is right to attack the apathy of the group, but Bible study by numbers will not bring about a change in the hearts of his group.

The perfect group

It is easier to correct negative issues, rather than describe the perfect Bible study, because it is impossible to give a formula for a good session. Talk to a more experienced leader or ask to co-lead if you need more help.

Help

'Help, I'm a small group leader' by Laurie Polich (Youth Specialties) and 'Young people and the Bible' by Phil Moon (Marshall Pickering) are two books that will help. Above all, remember to pray in preparing for the session. The best help will come from above.

How not to lead a small group

Anxious enquiries

RSM

Nice

The usual suspects?

Obvious answers

The perfect group

Help

Roger Fawcett

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