Reponse To Mike's #5

1. Does every bible study have to be planned and structured? Can you have a general idea and discuss?

I think it is good to have a planned lesson and some structure the majority of the time. But always be open to the Spirit’s guiding. It is our job to be responsible in preparation so as to not have mass confusion and chaos. But it is also our job to be open to what the Spirit wants to do with our preparation. Sometimes he will use what we have prepared and sometimes he won’t. Either way, if you feel the Spirit leading you to totally disregard what you have prepared for, let him move. But I would say that the majority of the time, God gives us a message to preach and he works within that message. There are different occurrences (like the one you experienced) where this is not the case. But it is more the exception than the rule. It’s always an amazing experience when God takes over like that. Someone needed it.

2. How do implement the idea that when peopled are engaged things run smoother? In other words, how do emphasize the need for participation?

Ask questions. I think I mentioned it before, but I will mention it again. Questions are conversation starters. I should restate that, “Focused questions are conversation starters”. There is nothing more insulting than having a rhetorical question be asked of you. Like, “what color is the sky?”. Obviously that wouldn’t be asked in Sunday school, but insulting questions are asked all the time of high schoolers and adults. Ask focused and engaging questions. If no one is responding, pick someone. While they may not like it, they are forced to answer at this point and they might have something amazing to say. No matter what the answer, reaffirm them positively. That reaffirmation will be seen by the other students, and the fear of answering will disappear. And magically, we have participation.