6 Keys to Effective Group Participation

by Richard E. Dodge

Safety and security are considered by some psychologists to be essential for personal growth.  People will find places in which tye feel safe and secure.  Merely making a class experience open to discussion and group activity does not assure that individuals will feel safe and free to participate.  Teachers and study group leaders must be intentional in creating a truly open and safe study environment.

Creating a safe environment not only has a positive effect on group discussion, but also is essential for encouraging participation from learners who are not likely to place themselves in situations in which they can be embarrassed.  A safe environment allows adults to take communication risks. This is accomplished by creating an atmosphere in which learners feel they have a reasonable level of equal importance and they know that a coach/facilitator will manage the group process to prevent personal 'harm'to any individual.

Here are some practical ways a leader can communicate safety:

• Arrange chairs in a circle in the larger group with everyone at eye level. Leaders and learners become equals in the learning process.
• Establish ground rules. Let everyone know that each person is of worth and value, and that everyone deserves respect from other learners.
• Develop leadership confidence. Encourage even quiet learners to accept leadership positions that can help them serve God.
• Provide clear instructions to groups and group leaders. Make sure groups and leaders know what you expect from them.
• Use time wisely. Communicate plans and time increments, and then try to stick with the time frame.
• Rearrange group composition regularly. This helps learners get to know one another as well as discover others who have similar learning preferences.

Remember that people generally want to learn, but may have prior experiences that have left them feeling emotionally injured or inferior because someone failed to accept their thoughts or ideas.  All ideas and contributions are valid regardless of where they are accurate.  If they miss the target, affirm the person for the contribution and help the contributor discover the correct answer or information.  This often can be done simply by asking questions that encourage the contributor to reflect on his or her initial thoughts.

Sometimes our best teaching happens when we sit back and let the learners discover for themselves what you want them to learn.  Small group activities and assignments open doors for reflection and discovery, leaving you free to facilitate learning rather than impart knowledge.

A PICTURE OF COMMITMENT

(copied)

It was a cold winter day. An old man walked out onto a frozen lake, cut a hole in the ice and dropped in his fishing line. He was there for almost an hour, without even a nibble, when a young boy walked out onto the ice, cut a hole in the ice not far from him. The young boy dropped his fishing line and minutes later he hooked a large bass.

The old man couldn't believe his eyes but chalked it up to plain luck. But, shortly thereafter, the young boy pulled in another large catch.

The young boy kept catching fish after fish. Finally, the old man couldn't take it any longer. "Son, I've been here for over an hour without even a nibble. You've been here only a few minutes and have caught a half dozen fish! How do you do it?"

The boy responded, "Roo raf roo reep ra rums rrarm."

"What was that?" the old man asked.

Again the boy responded, "Roo raf roo reep ra rums rarrm."

"Look," said the old man, "I can't understand a word you're saying."

The boy spit the contents of his mouth into his hand and said, "You have to keep the worms warm!"

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  War Room; Here are some resources you can use to promote and enhance your experience with this upcoming movie -  http://buff.ly/1HRKFcP 

FOR TRAINING LEADERSHIP: Ministry Training Essentials, providing core training to the five leading areas of ministry in  your church - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Ministry-Training-Essentials

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Join the ‘Hebrews Initiative’ this fall! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/special-emphasis/hebrews-initiative?emid=rpoinde-hebrewsinitiative-67151-20150414

FOR HELP IN WRITING YOUR OWN BIBLE STUDIES: Smallgroup.com offers Bible studies for every book in the Bible and over 200 topics.  Soon video supported studies! - http://home.smallgroup.com/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP:  DevoHub, a new way of delivering a daily devotional to your church and community - http://devohub.com/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples Path, a plan for developing disciples - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: What Keeps You Up at Night? By Pete Wilson - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/what-keeps-you-up-at-night-bible-study-kit-P005747964

FOR YOUTH LEADERS: Midweek Services resources for Explore the Bible, Bible Studies for Life, and The Gospel Project curriculum users - http://blog.lifeway.com/explorethebible/blog/what-are-these-new-midweek-verse-by-verse-things/

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Kids Ministry Conference, Nashville, TN, October 19-21, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Kids-Conference-LifeWay-Kids-Ministry-Conference

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: How to Incorporate Prayer into Your Women’s Ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/womensministry/2015/08/05/how-to-incorporate-prayer-into-your-womens-ministry/

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Fervent, A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer (a companion piece for the War Room movie) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/fervent-P005765905

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Women’s Forum, November 12-14, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Women%27s-Ministry-Leadership-Forum?type=events

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Johnny Hunt’s Men’s conference simulcast, February 5-6, 2016 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/johnny-hunt-men's-conference?type=events&intcmp=MensEvents-MTX-Text-JHuntSimulcast-20150903