Sometimes your study guide or scheduled reading for your small group meeting doesn't take you where your group needs to go. We can't view this stuff as a check list. I remember a doing a study recently when my small group was discussing the book of James and the study guide was leading us to talk about temptation. It was interesting because each question and scripture we explored together kept bringing us back to the sermon we had heard the previous Sunday.
The sermon focused on the topic of gossip and healthy conflict resolution. After having two questions in a row on temptation turn into discussion on gossip and conflict I quickly realized I needed to close the study guide and put it down. We completely shifted gears and spent the next 30min going where the group needed.
As discussion leaders we have to be flexible. While study guides and schedules are great the cant predict nor meet every needs of our groups each week. Pay attention, listen closely, and watch what God does!
written by Jon Stolpe, October 25, 2007
