Interaction | Knowable Word

Why Interaction is Good for Small Group Members

April 26, 2021 By Ryan Higginbottom

Small groups are everywhere in churches and Christian ministries. And there are almost as many kinds of small groups as there are ministries.

We write with some frequency about small group Bible studies on this blog, and it’s worth defining our terms from time to time. My aim in this article is to describe the sort of Bible study we advocate and explain why this structure helps Christians get to know the Bible better.

An Interactive Group

When we write about “Bible studies,” we have this in mind: a group of people who “are actively engaged in mutual study and examination of the text of Scripture.” This definition comes from the first post in Peter’s series on leading Bible studies.

The “mutual study and examination” part of this definition is important. We’re not talking about a lecture or a presentation. Every group member thinks, reads, and prays along, wrestling together with the text.

The main benefit of this kind of group is the interaction that cannot be replicated in private devotions, a Sunday sermon, or a theology class. Peter has written about the many advantages of this type of group for leaders, but this is also a fantastic group setup for those who attend.

Hearing From Others

At a healthy interactive small group study, there is bountiful discussion. And this means that everyone present hears not just from the leader but (likely) from everyone else as well.

Why is this important? We all bring different angles and experiences to the Bible, and hearing a diversity of perspectives helps us understand God’s word more fully. To take one passage specifically, think about how a study of the promise of a resurrection body (in 1 Corinthians 15) might land differently if a small group contained people of several generations. Someone who has chronic pain or who has been diagnosed with cancer will add much to this conversation that a healthy twenty-five-year-old couldn’t provide.

We also benefit from hearing the questions, interpretations, hesitations, and affirmations of others. The road to truth is rarely smooth and straight. Charitable pushback—even disagreement—is not to be feared or avoided. God’s word is sturdy and can handle all the interrogation we can muster. Others help us think and see things in the Bible that we would not glimpse on our own.

Actively Engaging the Text

If you’ll permit it, I’m going to wear my educator hat for just a moment. It is now a well-established fact, that from kindergarten through graduate school, the most impactful kind of learning is active learning.

Active learning is what is sounds like—learning in which the student participates actively. This is contrasted with the passive learning of the traditional 45-minute lecture. In terms of effectiveness, it isn’t close. Active learning beats passive learning like an NFL team drubbing a high school squad.

Hopefully you can see it now—interactive small groups are active! Everyone is reading, asking and answering questions, thinking deeply about the Bible, offering alternate interpretations, and sharing different ways to apply the truths they’ve learned. Participants in the best small groups burn a lot of mental calories!

This interaction helps us learn and retain information, it deepens conviction and hope, and it solidifies our thinking. Our engagement during our Bible studies accelerates our journey on the road of Christian growth.

Speaking to Others

While technically this benefit could fit under the umbrella of active engagement, I want to call it out separately. In a healthy small group, all members speak several times during the meeting. And this is of great value to everyone present.

The process of expressing our thoughts or questions verbally often brings a clarity we miss if we keep quiet. Our brains shuffle, combine, and file information in a new way when we form words for others to hear.

Additionally, your group benefits when you speak! Just as you need to hear from others, others need to hear from you. This is an essential part of what it means to be part of a community.

This doesn’t mean everyone is a born teacher or scholar. Your questions, requests for alternate explanations, or personal applications can help move your group toward deeper understanding and more lasting change.

How to Find Such a Group

My advice regarding joining a small group Bible study is simple. Find a group that is committed to studying the Bible. And seek a group with plenty of lively engagement with the text. Start with these criteria and add others as appropriate.

And if you can’t find such a group, perhaps you should start one of your own!

Help! I Have a Bad Bible Study Leader!

September 21, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

A great Bible study can be transformative. You see God, your sin, and your Savior clearly. You grieve over your offenses but marvel at God’s love for you in Jesus. You leave refreshed and hopeful about the future. A meeting like this can turn your week around.

Adriaen Brouwer’s The Bitter Tonic (1636-38), public domain

Because a Bible study has such potential, we can feel cheated when it falls flat. It’s like that slice of pizza you thought was stuffed with sausage but was swimming with anchovies instead. The unpleasant taste lingers.

A Bible study can turn sour because of disruptions, the group’s size, a chaotic setting, or recent events in the life of a group member. Sometimes we must play the unfavorable hand that God’s providence deals. But what if your Bible study leader is to blame for the spoiled meeting?

A Bad Leader

A Bible study leader could fall short in many ways. Maybe he favors lecture over discussion and misses out on the benefits of small group interaction. Or he asks questions but doesn’t care about the answers. Perhaps he shuts down conversations or silences people, leaving no room for differing views or sharing. Worst of all, he might misuse or misunderstand the Bible.

How do you react to a leader like this? Should you pack your bags and look for greener pastures?

Have A Conversation

Instead of jumping ship, ponder this: Might God have a job here for you? If the leader is young, inexperienced, or without a mentor, he might be aching for a friend to pass wisdom along. If you see the problems, by sticking around you may help your group study the Bible.

If you’re up for the challenge, there’s one obvious, uncomfortable task ahead of you: Have a conversation with your leader.

It’s possible that your friend has chosen a leadership style or strategy that makes your small group study unpleasant. But it’s much more likely that he doesn’t understand his effect. Your discussion may be a catalyst for his repentance (in case of moral failure) or training (in case of ignorance).

Of course, it’s also possible that the conversation will not go well, that he will explain away your observations and discount your concerns. Pray that God would use your words in the future if he doesn’t seem to be using them in the present.

Six Pointers

I’m avoiding specific guidelines on the content of this conversation because it may go in any of a hundred directions. Collect your thoughts and your recommendations before you meet, and if you need pointers for studying the Bible or leading a small group, this blog has some resources to consider.

As for your posture in this conversation and afterward, I have six brief suggestions.

Ask others first — Check with other members of your small group—are they seeing the same problems? If not, perhaps you need recalibration.
Pray — Bring this matter to God ahead of time, and if your friend is receptive, pray during your meeting. (And afterward too!)
Be humble — You are no better than your friend, and any insights you have are God-given.
Be a friend — This news may be difficult to hear, so be sympathetic and offer support for the future. Avoid all scolding.
Offer hope — Remind your friend of God’s long-term, enduring love and his committment to change us by the Spirit.
Look ahead — It’s unrealistic to expect overnight change, so ask your friend for permission to give small-group feedback down the road.

Ten Characteristics of a Great Small Group Member

August 10, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

Both inside and outside of the church, we talk a lot about the characteristics of leaders. And rightly so. For any organization, leaders cast the vision, set the goals, and model the actions.

We hear far less about followers. This, despite the fact followers far outnumber leaders!

What Makes a Good Follower?

cassandra (2012), Creative Commons License

We have lots of resources devoted to leading small group Bible studies. But what if you’re not the leader? What if you’re eager to glorify God by attending a Bible study?

Here are ten traits found in a great small group member. If you are attending a small group, make these qualities your target and the subject of your prayers.

What is a great small group member like?

He is a servant. The ideal small group member knows that he has an important role within his group. While he expects to be blessed by attending his small group, he sees the opportunity to bless others through his actions, words, and prayers. He relishes his opportunity to bear the burdens of his brothers and sisters in the Lord.
He is committed to the Bible. He values his friends and their contributions, but his highest authority is the Bible. He knows that cursory and thoughtless readings don’t honor God, so he pushes himself and his friends to dig again and again into the Scriptures. He works hard to keep his Bible study skills sharp.
He is open-minded. He is willing to change his mind when presented with compelling Biblical evidence. His convictions are shaped by God’s unchangeable word.
He listens. He values what others say. He knows that the Holy Spirit gives wisdom about the Bible through the insights of fellow believers. Because he cares for his friends, he is eager to hear how God is at work in their lives.
He is compassionate. He prays for his friends and follows up on those requests. He sends notes of encouragement to those who are fighting for joy in God.
He engages. He answers questions from the leader, and he poses questions himself. When the discussion drifts, he points the group back to the text. He gently draws out those who are shy, and he asks the bold to justify their claims from the Bible.
He is prepared. He labors before his group gathers so the meeting will have maximum impact.
He is vulnerable. He bares his heart to his friends, knowing that honesty is a crucial weapon in the battle against sin.
He perseveres. He is committed to his group despite the imperfections of both the leader and the other group members. He knows that all sinners (including himself) can be difficult to love, and he extends to others the forgiveness and grace he wants for himself.
He is growing. While spiritual growth may be difficult to spot from one day to the next, when he looks back over the course of a year, he can see more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (See Gal 5:22–23.) This growth is no cause for pride, but he rejoices in God’s faithful love for him. This growth is inspirational and infectious within his small group.

If you measure yourself against this list and come up short, don’t lose heart. Jesus is the only one who followed any list of good behavior perfectly. If you are God’s child, you don’t earn his smile; rather, his smile never departs from you! This provides both the motivation and the power to work toward blessing your small group.

I’m sure this list is not complete. What characteristics would you add?

How to Ruin a Small Group Discussion in 4 Easy Steps

July 13, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

You know what’s fun? Ruining good things. Like squirting mustard on ice cream. Or playing The Four Seasons on kazoos.

A good Bible study group can be a blessing to the people who attend—so let’s put a stop to that. Since many benefits of a small group come through the interaction between group members, we’ll focus our disruptive energy there.

Susan Sermoneta (2005), Creative Commons License

Having a fruitful, Bible-centered discussion is hard—many details must fall into place, and several people need to catch the same vision. But ruining a discussion is easy. It takes only one person! Just a few of the techniques below will do the trick.

Hijack the Discussion

Like any conversation, Bible study discussions can be spoiled with a simple disregard for manners.

So here’s the first suggestion: Drive the conversation off topic. It doesn’t matter where you steer—just yank the wheel. If you’re a novice, turn the discussion to yourself: your history, fears, afflictions, regrets, or heroes. With some practice, you’ll be ready for the next level: introducing issues that appear to be on-topic. For example, when studying one of Paul’s prayers, question how prayer works instead of discussing the substance of his prayer.

Achieve expert status by using controversial topics. Season your remarks with hot-button issues for maximum distraction. Be careful not to visit the same well too often lest you become the end-times guy and your leader nip your efforts in the bud.

Shut Down the Discussion

If you’re serious about ruining a conversation, put yourself above the group. Here are two ways to assert your importance.

First, monopolize the discussion. When the leader asks a question, jump right in. Ramble through your responses, and leave little time for others. (Pro tip: Avoid eye contact with your leader. Good leaders can warn monopolizers with a look.)

Second, spurn the discussion. Broadcast your disdain lest anyone think you’re just quiet. Hold your head in your hands. Sigh. Yawn. Communicate that the questions are either ridiculous or beneath you. Create a distraction without going so far that you’re asked to leave.

Starve the Discussion

Lively, significant discussions need an engaged, honest group. A wise leader will start the game of catch, but he shouldn’t need the ball often.

To maim the discussion, keep the dialogue shallow. Don’t listen to others or follow up after any responses. Push the conversation in academic or intellectual directions. Insulate yourself and others from applying the Bible or discovering where application is needed.

Cripple the Discussion

It’s time for your trump card. Instead of just being impolite, the most insidious way to demolish a small group discussion is to misuse the Bible.

Ignore your Bible. Give your “gut response” to questions. Talk about “what the passage means to me.” Don’t ask anyone to justify their answer from the Bible, and learn to deflect if this question comes to you.

Give Sunday school answers. Most answers in a first-grade Sunday School class are either “God,” “sin,” “love,” “trust in Jesus,” “be nice to my sister,” or “obey my parents.” Grab some of these or their grown-up equivalents (“read the Bible,” “focus on the Lord”), and let the clichés commence. Offer Christian-sounding responses without the trouble of engaging the text.

Invoke your Bible’s study notes. Don’t use the notes as an aid—assert them as a final authority. This is most effective when the notes contradict a recent response.

Chase cross references. When your leader asks an interpretive question, blurt out some verses from your Bible’s cross references. Don’t look at the context; you only need the same English word in both places.

Don’t study the Bible. As a summary, this suggestion is your most powerful tool. Make sure that you don’t observe, interpret, or apply the Bible with any care or concern. Also, stay away from certain blogs that promote these behaviors.

Ask These Questions When Joining a Small Group

June 1, 2015 By Ryan Higginbottom

Joe Shlabotnik (2008), Creative Commons License

Some choices in life are simple, like the choice between gloves and mittens. (Gloves, obviously.) Other decisions are far more difficult. Chocolate or mint chocolate chip ice cream?¹ And some choices can show you just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Easy or not, your choice of a small group Bible study is important. You will study the Bible, seek the Lord, and share your life with these people. It’s a big deal!

Some readers of this site may have no decision to make. Perhaps you know of only one small group in your area. Or maybe there aren’t any other Christians nearby who are committed to the Bible. Those of us living in communities with abundant opportunities and resources should remember our lonely or isolated brothers and sisters and pray for their strength and encouragement. Theirs is a difficult providence.

But a good percentage of readers have options: a small group offered by your church, a community fellowship, a parachurch ministry, or an informal troop of friends. Which gathering should you choose? Consider these three questions.

Where can I study the Bible?

Not all that glitters is gold, and not every “Bible study” group gives attention to the Good Book. Instead, some groups discuss a specific topic or read a best-selling Christian author. Such gatherings can be dynamite, but they aren’t what we mean by a Bible study. Simply put, Bible studies should study the Bible.

So, if you are thinking about joining a small group Bible study, here is your first task: determine whether or not they study the Bible. A few specific questions about the group meetings should do the trick.

Where can I serve?

In proposing this second question, I’m assuming you are not the small group leader. (Though we have many resources for Bible study leaders!) I maintain that, in every small group setting, you can both grow and help others grow. There are oodles of ways you can serve others in a small group.

Do you know of a small group with a young or inexperienced leader? Join and look for ways to pile on the encouragement.

Is there a local group in search of a meeting place? Offer to play the role of host/hostess.

How about a group with several new Christians? Step in and help with discipleship and training.

Have you heard of a group that is stagnant? Strengthen the group by attending and recruiting new members.

What about your friend who is sharing the Bible with unbelievers? Attend the group, help field questions, and introduce people to Jesus!

Even if you’re not filling one of these roles, just your participation in a small group can be a great service. As you contribute your Spirit-led observations, interpretations, and applications, God builds up his people. (Look for a longer discussion of this point in a future post.)

Where can I learn?

Serving in a Bible study group and learning in the group are not mutually exclusive. In fact, because the Bible is written by our infinite, perfect God, we can learn whenever we turn our attention to his knowable Word.

A small group offers a unique environment for learning from the Bible. In a small group, you can harness the power of interaction to sharpen one another and see Jesus more clearly. There are ways you can learn in a small group that cannot be replicated in private or in larger gatherings.

Consequently, you should ask about the format of any group you plan to join. Is it dominated by a leader’s lecture or by group discussion? There are times when instruction is helpful, but you lose one of the main benefits of the small group setting if teaching replaces dialogue.

Default to Your Local Church

There is no perfect small group, so please don’t let less-than-ideal answers to these questions keep you in isolation. Seek the Lord, consider the opportunities, and step out in faith.

Here is one final guiding principle. All other things being equal, give preference to the small group(s) offered through your local church. Your elders have responsibility to shepherd God’s people, so your church’s small groups should fit your leaders’ vision for building God’s kingdom. It may be that part of joining your local church involves participating in its small group ministry.

Trick question: the answer is “yes.” ↩

Why have Bible studies?

March 21, 2014 By Peter Krol

Bible studies—as I use the term—are groups of people actively engaged in mutual examination of the text of Scripture. Bible studies differ from sermons, classroom lectures, and informal instruction in that they primarily consist of group discussion. Bible studies can be terrifying, because you never know what people will say. There’s always inherent potential for losing control of the discussion. And for this reason, many people fear them.

But though it’s unscripted, the discussion doesn’t have to be uncontrollable. Though open-ended, it doesn’t have to be directionless. Though interrogative, it can still be powerfully declarative.

Bible studies have something going for them that few sermons or personal quiet times can achieve: Interaction. This is the chief advantage of Bible studies.

Interact SpA (2009), Creative Commons

Because of interaction, we can identify what part of the teaching is hitting the mark. We can adjust on the spot to make better use of what’s connecting with people’s hearts. We can jettison whatever is unhelpful in the moment.

Because of interaction, we can measure how people are responding to the text. We get a good idea of what to follow up on in personal conversations.

Because of interaction, we can see the fruits of faith or unbelief. We can often gauge where people are in their walks with the Lord as we see them directly interacting with his word.

Because of interaction, we can directly address difficult topics. Some issues are considered impolite for pleasant conversation, but they may find safe harbor in an engaging Bible discussion. For example:

“What are some bad spending habits that we should repent of?”
“How can you be a more Christ-like father or mother?”
“Last week you mentioned how stressed out you were. How does today’s passage speak to your stress?”
“What does Jesus say about how to receive eternal life? How would that affect your life if it were true?”

Because of interaction, we get VIP access to the greatest show on earth: the softening of human hearts. Sometimes we’ll see people change their minds or their convictions over the course of a single discussion. At other times, it will take place over weeks or months. Sometimes we’ll simply see the change in attitude or character, and the changed person won’t even be aware of the difference yet.

Because of interaction, we can multiply our ministries. Through discussions, we can teach people how to study the Bible for themselves. We can train assistant leaders who will eventually lead their own Bible studies. We can coach people in particular skills like small talk, asking questions, listening attentively, or sharing vulnerably.

Because of interaction, people often feel respected and appreciated. This encourages higher levels of commitment and risk.

Because of interaction, we can better understand and help others to feel understood. God, who knows all things, chose to interact with Adam and not merely declare truth to him: “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9). Jesus, who knew what was in the heart of a man, chose to interact and draw out others’ thoughts: “Are you asking yourselves what I meant?” (John 16:19).

As we consider further how to lead effective Bible studies, let’s not lose sight of our chief advantage.

Question: What other benefits derive from the interactive nature of Bible discussions? I appreciate your interaction on this topic!