Lucius Beebe Memorial Library (2011), Creative Commons
So you’re leading a Bible study on Galatians 1. You know enough by now to make sure you use the text.
You begin with an observation question: “What sort of mood is Paul in as he writes this?”
You get the nose-dive reaction that is most desirable in a Bible study. Everyone looks down at their Bibles, searching for the answers.
A few comments touch on how extreme Paul is (he must be pretty upset to wish eternal condemnation on anyone!), and the discussion stumbles along.
One person screws up his face, deep in thought. You’re not sure if he wants to speak or not, so you politely keep moving forward, asking about repeated words, and main points.
Eventually, the thinker blurts out, “Do you think angels still speak to people? Paul’s worried about angels preaching false gospels in verse 8. Is that something for us to watch out for?”
You’re not exactly sure where to go. Before you know it, one person asks about Joseph Smith and the Mormons, another person quotes some famous preacher on the topic, and a third connects the discussion to Dante, Descartes, and John Milton. A fourth person starts recounting his own experience with an angel, while a fifth just sits there communicating with groans too deep for words.
You know it’s a rabbit trail, but you’re not sure how to bring it back. What should you do?
No matter what your situation, there is one question you can always ask to bring the discussion back on track.
“So how are you seeing that in the text?”
That’s it. You don’t have to know the answer to every question. You don’t have to be the best conversationalist in the world.
All you have to do is bring people back to the text.
Sometimes I’m surprised. What I thought was a rabbit trail might be connected to the passage. Perhaps this person sees something I don’t yet see. This question enables me to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Other times, the question lands as a gentle rebuke. It’s much more gracious than saying, “we’re not here to discuss your personal philosophy or stream of consciousness. We’re here to be changed by God’s Word.” You can be firm, while still leading with the expectation that we’re here to learn from the Bible.
I find this question particularly helpful when studying the Bible with non-Christians. It helps to focus the discussion. Sometimes I add, “You don’t have to believe it [in order to attend this discussion group], but you do have to be honest about what it’s saying. So, what does the passage say?”
Next time you lead a Bible study and the discussion meanders from topic to topic, try this question out.
Question: what have you found most helpful when it seems the discussion is getting off track?
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