Starting an In-Person Small Group

Fostering Conversation and Understanding

Ready to host? The course is designed to spark candid conversations and deepen understanding of various Christian viewpoints. Our goal is not to teach a single doctrine but to provide as much as possible a neutral overview of different perspectives, allowing for honest and open discussion where people can share what they believe and why, while also listening to others without judgment or imposing anyone's beliefs on others. It is meant to be a friendly, casual time together, where one can grow in faith and understanding with no pressure.

How It Works

• Discussion-Focused: Rather than providing exhaustive teaching, each lesson offers specific topics to guide your group. While some topics may overlap, the provided end of lesson questions will help keep your conversations focused.

• For Groups or Individuals: This material is perfect for small groups but also valuable for one-on-one discussions and for personal study.

• Depth of Study: You will find that you get out of this course what you put into it. We encourage you to take the time to examine the provided charts and follow the suggested links; these are extra helpful resources to dig deeper into the topics.

• Group Size: To ensure everyone has a chance to share, we recommend keeping groups to a maximum of 10 people.

• In-person or Virtual: Whether you meet in person or online, these conversations can facilitate deeper connections within the group and a shared exploration of faith.

Introductory Meeting

To kick off the first meeting, the leader should introduce themselves and share their motivation for hosting. The leader can then express the importance of valuing our unity in God and in love, regardless of our different backgrounds or the denominations we belong to. After providing an overview of the course purpose and upcoming topics, the leader should introduce the self-assessment exercise as a tool to help everyone track their own personal growth after the 12 lessons. It is also important to remind participants to read each lesson in advance of the meetings. If new members are present, invite everyone to introduce themselves and share what drew them to the group.

Time Commitment

We recommend setting aside two hours for each meeting. A single lesson usually takes longer than one meeting to cover, as the pace will depend on your group's willingness to dedicate the time they need for the discussions. Feel free to adjust the schedule to fit your group's needs and determine how long it will take to complete the 12 lessons.

As a group leader, your main role is to act as both a moderator and an active participant, creating a safe and respectful environment. It is recommended that leaders be knowledgeable Christian guides who know the Bible well enough to address questions and guide conversations effectively.

Here are some tips to help you lead your group:

• Choose a location. Find a private location with minimal distractions for your group, such as your home or a quiet room.

• Provide light refreshments. Offer snacks and drinks. You can also invite group members to contribute occasionally.

• Encourage everyone to speak. Ensure every member has a chance to contribute. If the group is quiet, spark dialogue by sharing your own experiences or using the specific discussion questions at the end of each lesson. When discussing Scripture, keep the group grounded by first asking, "What did the author intend for the original audience?" before exploring, "What does this mean to you today?"

• Pre-reading lessons. Make sure you have read the lesson before each meeting and prepare anything extra you would like to share as examples or experiences.

• Use of External Study Tools. Bring physical books or show the ccac.info website or the resource links provided during your meeting to add interest.

• Approach with an open mind. Make an effort to truly listen and understand others' beliefs while also sharing your own.

• Focus on discussion, not conversion. The goal is to have an open conversation about Christianity, not to pressure anyone regarding what they should believe, conversion or specific church affiliations.

• Value different perspectives. If you have participants from different backgrounds or denominations, encourage them to research their tradition's view on the lesson's topic. Encourage them to share it with the group. This fosters mutual respect and helps us see the full puzzle of the Christian faith. It is expected and natural that disagreements will arise, however, remember that our goal is not to win an argument, but to explore together leaning on the principle that we can hold differing convictions while walking in mutual love and respect.

• Open and close with prayer. Opening and closing with prayer invites God into your discussions, helping to create a sense of community and shared purpose.

• Conclude with reflection. At the end of Lesson 12, remind everyone to revisit their initial self-assessment exercise. This is a powerful way to see how their understanding has grown. Consider hosting a final wrap-up session to share what members have learned or how their perspectives have evolved throughout the course.

• Share openly and respectfully. Contribute your views and beliefs, but always maintain respect for others, especially during disagreements.

• Focus on understanding, not winning. This is a discussion, not a debate. The goal is to exchange insights and understand diverse perspectives.

• Come prepared. To get the most out of our time together, try to read the assigned lesson before each meeting. This allows us to jump straight into the conversation and topic for discussion.

• Ask questions. Don't hesitate to ask about beliefs that differ from your own. The reasoning behind them might offer new insights and prompt you to reconsider your own stance.

• Be humble and open. Embracing humility and openness to new ideas and interpretations fosters richer dialogue and deeper understanding.

Guidelines for Group Leaders

Guidelines for Participants

If you are interested in joining an online group, send us your name and request using the "Contact Us" button below and we will notify you once a volunteer leader with a solid background in the Bible and Christianity is available. Alternatively, if you are a leader looking for participants to join your group, let us know!

Because we want to carefully pair groups based on time zones— and keep a maximum limit of 10 participants for a healthy discussion—it may take some time to put a group together. We will do our best to connect people as requests come in and new leaders become available.

If you have more questions about starting a group or need more guidance, feel free to contact us.

Once you have finished this course as a group and would like to continue your discussions, we suggest starting a Bible study together or digging deeper into specific topics like forgiveness, etc.. You may have only part of the group that wishes to continue, it is entirely at your discretion how you choose to move forward.

Interested in Joining or Leading an Online Group?