Training Session 9
Skill Session: Facilitating Small Groups

OBJECTIVES
  1. To understand the value and utility of small group facilitation versus teaching.
  2. To develop awareness in the logistics of leading small groups.
  3. To develop skills in asking good questions and dealing with problematic group members.
EQUIPMENT
Download this Note Sheet to take notes on the video
The following two documents outline thoughts on Small Group Facilitation

WORKOUT
Watch the following videos and reflect on the questions.  You will discuss them with your coach.

Why are small groups valuable?  What kinds of strategies and skills might be helpful as we lead small groups? David and Wayne speak to these questions.  First, David speaks more conceptually about strategies and mindset.  Then Wayne addresses some details and very practical X's and O's.  
  • Why might or how have you seen a small group be more beneficial than 1-on-1 discipleship?
  • What are your tendencies when leading a small group?  Do you tend to ask questions or tell answers more often?  How can you grow in the ability to balance both?
  • How have you seen the concept of the Triangle (up-in-out) modeled in the life of a small group before?  OR - how would you conceive of implementing it if you haven't seen it before?
  • How have you seen a good balance of Table and Temple modeled in a small group before?  OR - how would you conceive of implementing it if you haven't seen it before?
Wayne adds some practical details about who makes for a good small group leader, logistics, and managing difficult people and topics.
  • Is there anyone that you can invite to help lead a small group that is FAT by Wayne's standards?  How will you begin to incorporate them?
  • What key points regarding logistics do you need to consider with your small groups?
  • How can you improve in the area of coaching difficult people in your small group or managing difficult topics?


If you want more advisement on how to practically manage the flow of conversation, read the following document containing resources from Growing Leaders and FCA.

Read: Small Group Facilitation
  • What are some practices mentioned in your reading that you will be mindful to employ when facilitating a conversation?  Why?
REPLAY
The end goal of facilitating a small group is Life Transformation and Multiplication of Disciples.  Discipleship within a community has the potential to be better than 1-on-1 because it is multiplicative rather than additive.

Skills a leader needs to have and grow in center around the ability to facilitate discussion rather than teach/preach.  A good facilitator will ask good questions to coach group members.  A facilitator hopes to train members to "look to the Book" more than coming to them for all the answers.  A practical way to do this is to implement the Discovery Bible Study method to lead discussion about passages in the Bible.  A good facilitator needs soft observation skills, emotional intelligence and awareness.

Two pictures to help you think about structuring your small group time are a Triangle (up-in-out) and "Table vs Temple".  The triangle reminds us of the value of time spent focused on God, in fellowship, and in outreach.  The Table reminds us of value of organic life on life.  The Temple reminds us of the value of being organized, perhaps with a curriculum.  Practically, a good facilitator will have organized time and predictable patterns, but create within it some "gray space" for organic relationships.

Practical strategies are to begin with a strong invitation to relationship as well as a challenge to commitment.  Logistics to be considered are determining the best time and place, having a co-facilitator, establishing ground rules, and ending on time.

PRACTICE
Facilitate a Small Group Meeting. Bring along someone to evaluate you and provide feedback and coaching afterwards. Provide them this worksheet to help guide them in providing feedback. Alternatively, you can provide the worksheet to all the small group members and receive feedback and coaching from them.

DEBRIEF
Turn in a scanned copy of the evaluation form and your own written reflection on the process. What were your successes? Where are areas of needed growth? How do you plan to gain experience so that you can grow in those areas?

OVERTIME
  1. Website: Stanford University resource for facilitating group discussions
  2. Content to walk through with your small group:
    1. Discovery Bible Study - recommended method by FCA
    2. FCAResources - landing page for all FCA resources
    3. AIA Resources - landing page of resources from Athletes in Action
    4. #nofilterheartstudy - Bible study on Social Media written by FCA staff
    5. Pursue God - for athletes

Debrief Turn In