In this episode, Kurt Garceau and Jake Rosekopf talk through 9 practical tools to help you make discussion time easier so that everyone has the opportunity and feels comfortable enough to share.


EPISODE NOTES:

1)  Put in the work. 

• Prepare ahead of time, pray ahead of time, leave room for the Holy Spirit.  

2)  Set the tone. 

Be honest and vulnerable as a leader and acknowledge you don’t have all the answers. 

• It challenges group members to think and come up with answers. 
• It takes the pressure off you. You don’t have to have all the answers.
• It creates a safe environment for people to share. 

 3)  Don’t do all the talking. 

• Don’t ask questions and then answer the questions first. Your goal is to have everyone feel comfortable enough to share.

4)  Be comfortable with silence. 

• If no one shares after 10 seconds ask a transitional question.  “If you had to answer that question in one word, what would it be?” When someone shares, ask “Why did you pick that word?”, and conversation will start. 

5)  Steer the conversation back. 

• “That is an interesting point. Help me tie it to our discussion."
• “Let’s circle back on that, but for now, what do you think about this or that?”
• “That was a great story, let’s get back on track here with this next question.”

6)  Ask open-ended questions. 

• “Why do you think the author said that?”
• “What are your thoughts?” 
• “What comes to mind when you think about this?” 
• “What are your thoughts about this particular subject/thought?”
• “Why?” 

7)  Invoke different responses. 

• “Do we all feel the same way or does anyone have a different thought?”
• “Do you really agree with what the author is saying?”
•  “If someone disagreed with our discussion, what do you think they might say?”

 8)  Involve everyone. 

• “Not everyone has had a chance to share on this subject. Anyone else before we move on?”
• “What are your thoughts?” 

9)  Let them craft their own applications. 

• “What will we do next because of this great discussion?”
• “How can put this into practice tomorrow?"
• “What are some things you are going to do differently?”

Idea: Write down what members share and ask them to report back the next week.

Check out our Vox Groups Leader Resource on RightNow Media for more practical tools to lead healthy, vibrant, growing Community Groups. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/.../interact.../863245/details

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