Bible Discovery Group
Questions and Answers
Last updated 3-15-2010
1. Who opens the meeting at 6:50 and
determines the next meeting place, snack people, and facilitator?
The HOST does this and then turns the night over to the facilitator
for the evening.
2. Is it necessary to have music on in the background during
fellowship?
If you can have some quiet Christian or classical music on in the
background, it is helpful in quieting down our minds still wound up
from the day’s activities. If not, or if you do want to do so, feel
free to leave it off. Remember to turn it off when the host opens
the meeting.
3. Why do we arrive by 6:30 if the discussion does not begin until
7:00?
This gives everyone a chance to transition from the “world” to the
“group”. They can mingle and discuss their day, have something to
drink and snack on, and even give testimony to things that have
happened since last week.
4. Why do we read from the booklet?
As we grow and develop groups across the world, consistency will
keep us in tune with each other and make new groups easier to
duplicate by using a single format.
5. Can the format be changed?
If you have an idea of how to better the format, please let us know.
We will check it out and if we feel the idea has merit for the
overall network of BDGs, we will revise the booklet. We have already
done so a number of times.
6. How do we get more booklets to hand out?
Request the booklet from us and we will send it to you in a
printable document format such as MS Word or a PDF. Using a printer
capable of duplex (two-sided) printing, print as many as you need.
Always have enough on hand for new people and for those who forgot
their copy.
7. Why do we close in prayer before asking for prayer requests?
The meeting format has us go from 6:30 until 8:00. Some have a need
to leave at 8:00 because of early work schedules. The closing prayer
is an opportunity for them to leave.
8. Should the facilitator explain the scripture readings?
No. A facilitator is one who facilitates. S/he asks others to read
sections of scripture. If discussion is not forthcoming, s/he asks
questions about how the reading can be applied to our lives today.
9. Should we be reading the study notes at the bottom of our Bible
pages?
These are a good reference for personal study, but are not relevant
for our discussions. Our discussion should come from what God has
revealed to us personally, not what He revealed to the writer of the
notes.
10. Should we be reading the scripture before we come to the
meeting?
We assume each attendee is in the Bible daily, but there is no
assignment given. Reading in advance and praying for God re reveal
what He wants for you for you life today is a great idea. This does
not mean one should be studying commentaries or other reference
material to create a “revelation” to be read to the group. Let the
Holy Spirit guide the discussion.
11. How much should we be reading?
Each book in the Bible is divided into numbered sections of relevant
text. Each section is further divided into paragraphs. One paragraph
or even a partial paragraph is enough to have good discussions. The
more that is read, the harder it is to drill into one thing. (see
Q16)
12. When do we stop discussing?
The HOST keeps an eye on the time and makes sure the facilitator
winds the discussions down between 7:50 and 7:55. This give time for
the closing prayer by 8:00 and allowing those needing to leave a
chance to do so.
13. What happens after the discussion is over?
After the closing prayer a moment should be taken for those needing
to leave. When they have left, time can be taken to ask for prayer
requests and hear testimonies that did not come forth earlier in the
evening during snack time. When all the requests have been made, as
the Holy Spirit leads, people should pray for each request. When
done, the HOST should pray traveling mercies on everyone leaving
his/her home.
14. If my name is not on a group list can I go to whatever group I want to from week to week?
No. You may attend either one to see where you feel you fit. Then you have to decide to stay and will be added to the list of member for that group. If you were brought into the group by invitation, you may want to stay in the group they are attending.
15. Can one person (one couple) take on two roles for an evening, like being the snack person and the facilitator or host and facilitator, or host and snack person?
No. Those three tasks should be spread amongst the members of the group. We know it would be easy for some to multi-task, but that is not always the case. Let everyone have a part to play. And those that have a part to play usually make sure they attend.
16. During discussion time, how much should we read at one time?
We have found that the more that is read, the less is discussed. Stick to a paragraph at a time unless they are interrelated in such a way to make reading both necessary. The less read, the more said. (see Q11)
17. Why don't we change night of the week like we change locations?
Many have other activities they participate in during the week so changing nights could be a problem for some of the members. A fixed night makes it easy to schedule. Also, by having a fixed night of the week we can easily invite others to join us and those who miss a meeting can depend on the night for the next meeting as only the location changes.
18. Is it acceptable to ask members of my group to come to my church on Sunday?
No, unless they are un-churched. If they are currently attending a church, you should not be tempting them to come to yours. The BDGs are non-denominational and are not to be considered a place to recruit new church members.
19. When facilitating, how much should we have someone read?
When having people read, have them read a paragraph, two perhaps if very short. Do not have them read an entire section of the story. The idea of a "discovery" is to see what God tells us, not what the story is about. Let's discover together and then discuss what He has said to us and how it applies to our walk today. And remember, the commentaries at the bottom of study Bibles are a great reference, but they are what others have discovered. By reading God's Word and listening to His voice, we can discover new revelation for us for today. Ask Him to reveal your good news for today.
20. Why don’t we take prayer requests before we start the discussion time?
Prayer requests are important, but we do not want to take away from the discussion time. When the discussion is over at 8:00 PM, we say the closing prayer. This gives those that must leave a place to do so. Then we ask for prayer requests and then we pray for each request. Typically each prayer is given by someone different as the Lord leads them to pray until all prayer requests have been covered. If we take the requests before the discussion time, we will have to repeat them before praying or most will have forgotten the requests.
21. If I cannot make the meeting should I let anyone know?
Yes. You were invited to the host's home for the evening. If something happens and you can't make it you should call them so they know and will not be worried when you are not there.
22. How much food should we have before the meeting?
Not too much. Only one person should be bringing food. The host should only provide the drinks. This is not a meal. Cookies or a cake or simple pastry is fine.