Your basic role is to lead the discussion. You are not the teacher in the sense that you are creating and giving a lesson. Your role is to lead the discussion of the questions and scripture given to you and allow the Holy Spirit to be the teacher.

Your role is more of a air traffic controller than a pilot. You’re directing the conversation:

• Safe Place- The goal is to make your group meetings a safe place for people to share. It should be a place where people feel respected and heard. Do not put down a person’s comment or question, and affirm people when they share. If what they share is incorrect, do not correct them directly but ask the group, “What do others think?” or “Does everyone agree?” If warranted, talk to the person who made the incorrect statement individually outside the meeting.
• Chasing Rabbits- Getting off topic? Not always a bad thing, but it suggest talking about the other topics after the meeting or at another time.
• Crickets- Ask a question and nobody responds? Don’t jump into too quickly and answer your own question! Discipline yourself to let silence do it’s motivating work by counting  to 10 or more in your hear. If you answer, they will come to expect that and not contribute.
• The Dominator vs. The Wall Flower- Every group has one or two who seem to dominate the conversation and the same number who never speak up. Handle this by calling on people by name to give a response (but never force a response). If the Dominator persists, speak to them after the group about how to get others to respond in the group that are more reticent.
• Small Window- You may have a limited amount of time for your Inspired Conversations Group. Look at the given discussion questions and scriptures on the guide sheet and prioritize the ones you feel are most important for your group.  Also everyone does not have to respond to every question. Two or three good responses are usually a good representative of the group.
• Tool Box- You will be given the Inspired Conversations Discussion Guide and a video clip each week. Members can view the discussion guide and Bible verses from their phones, tablet or computers, or use their printed copy of the guide and their Bible. The video clip may not be feasible in your situation, but it can be a great addition. Just use whatever tools work for your group.