I suggest a limited use of interpretation questions while frequently using observation and application questions. Normally a great small group lesson will go from observation to application. My general rule is that for every two observation questions, there should be an application question. I’ve provided two sample lessons that were taken from the Sunday morning message:
- Psalm 90: 1-17: Understanding the shortness of life.
- 1. Read Psalm 90:9-10. How does the Psalmist describe the condition of man? (observation)
- 2. Share an experience when you realized how short life really is (e.g., the death of a parent, friend, etc.) (application)
- 3. Read Psalm 90:4-6. How does the Psalmist describe the way we should view our time? (observation)
- 4. Describe your feeling when you think about eternity (e.g., fear, confidence, joy). Why do you feel this way? (application)
- 5. Share a fear that you have of the future (at the end of the small group, pray for one another) (application)
- 6. Read Psalm 90:12. WHAT does Moses want God to teach him? (observation)
- 7. What are some concrete actions that you can take this week to live in the light of eternity? (application)
1. Describe in your own words the counsel of Pablo to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12. What does the phrase in verse 12 mean, “be an example in life, in love, in faith and in purity?” ( personal observation)
- 2 Timothy 4:12
- 2. Timothy was a pastor in the city of Ephesus. Read together the verses in Acts 19: 17-19. Why was the example of Timothy so important? (interpretation)
- 3. Share a situation when you influenced another person by your example (perhaps a non-Christian). What happened? How did you feel? (application)
- 4. Paul, the apostle, wrote the book of 1 Timothy to his spiritual son (Timothy). How does Paul describe his relationship with Timothy? (1 Timothy 1:2) (observation)
- 5. Do you have a spiritual son or daughter? (someone who has come to know Jesus through your testimony) Describe how you helped that person come to know Jesus. Describe the feelings that you have when you think about that person. (application)
- 6. Share a situation when you weren’t the best example. How did you feel? (application)
- 7. Share how you can be an example this week to someone (very practical) (application)
What should be the main focus of the small group?
The aim of the small group lesson is transformation, rather than information. Honest and open sharing in the group should lead to transformation. When a person or couple reveals a struggle, he or she is reaching out for help. “Pray for me.” “Help me.” The desired result is change. “We want to stop fighting and start understanding each other,” the young couple shares. Such deep sharing springs from an earnest desire to change. The goal of the small group is to transform lives, rather than take in knowledge.
Several years ago, I visited a small group that was discussing the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. The small group leader asked question after question about what the text said (observation), then a few more questions about what the text meant (interpretation), but not once did he ask the people to apply these verses to their own lives. He missed a perfect opportunity. He could have said: “Share an experience when you felt bitterness toward another person.” He could have followed with:, “Share how you overcame those feelings and were able to forgive that person.” Most likely there were people that very night that who needed freedom from pent-up bitterness and that who were longing to share with others.”
I counsel small group leaders to make sure they that grab the heart during the small group lesson. I tell them not to allow the people to leave the group without having applied the Bible to their own lives. I know of one small group leader who likes to conclude the Word time by using saying: “In light of what we’ve read and discussed in this passage, how do you think God wants to use this in your life or the life of this group?”
Conclusion
There are a number of great ways to prepare small group curriculum. I personally believe the best ways is to base the small group lesson on the Sunday sermon. Far more important than the lesson, however, is the transformation that takes place in the lives of the members—and then spills over to evangelize a lost and needy world for Jesus Christ.
