Bible Study Leading Toolkit: Practicalities and Leadership.

My aim in publishing "these notes of notes" on this blog, is to have a quick-reference to these refreshers on leading Bible Studies.  I would also like to harmonise with our church's ways of doing things.
The material is given out by Charlotte Baptist Church

1. Setting up for a Good Study: practicalities and leadership.
2. Teasing out the Truth
3. Coping with Contributions
4. Watching the Watch
5. Remembering Prayer
6. Summing Up

1) SETTING UP FOR A GOOD STUDY:

a) Remember the Practicalities 

- for example seating arrangements in such a way that everyone can see everyone. Remember the late-comers.

b) Remember who is Boss.

• You are the leader, so lead well.
• Warmly explain what will happen.
• You are the one who is responsible for stopping discussions becoming aimless.
• You are to handle the talkative individual who may frustrate others and/or progress.
• Your are to ensure that the passage in your hands is not misunderstood.

Strong but warm leadership is essential.

• We aren't merely a chairlady or even a discussion-facilitator.
• We are teachers of God's Word who need to steer discussion gently, but deliberately towards and understanding of what God is communicating, by His Spirit, through the study text and what this means for everyone.
• So interrupt fruitless and even mildly interesting discussion.
• Gently and humbly question people's contributions.
• Look for clarity and steer people back to the point.
• This is Bible Study Leadership.

Next time onto 2)  Teasing out the Truth.