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Leading A Follow-up Group

Your group centres around the Bridges Lesson for that evening, but that is not all. An evening can in fact be broken up into eight segments:

1. PRE-LESSON

This is one of the most important times of the evening. We suggest having a BBQ or something similar to creating an atmosphere of relaxation. Introduce each person to the others by name. The pre-lesson time can be an important time of interaction and fellowship.

2. BREAKING THE ICE

As long as people are feeling awkward, it is difficult to do anything constructive. So "the ice" needs to be broken - something to make people feel a little more relaxed before the lesson begins (this is particularly important for Lesson One, where most of the group will be strangers to each other). So think of something to talk about or even a game as an Ice-Breaker.

3. READING THE LESSON

The main body of the course is designed to be read out. This we feel is the simplest for most Bridges Leaders. It also makes the lesson itself short - actually reading time for the whole lesson only takes about 15 minutes - and helps the time to be concentrated on the most important part of the lesson - the actual interaction of group members. You may get one of your team to do the actual reading. This provides a change of voice, which can help keep attention and helps you to observe how each member of the group is taking in the lesson. If there is distraction, you can stop the reading in mid-course to ask a question that will help draw the attention back to the lesson. The lesson should be read slowly, with each member of the group following in his/her own lesson. It should be read brightly - but not "over-done". You can use one of the following ways:

Read the lesson to the end of the page, then ask the two questions, allowing time for the group to interact on each question. Then read the next page in the same way.
Read the lesson quadrant by quadrant. Read the first quadrant, then ask the first question. Then read the second quadrant, and ask the second question, and so on.
We would recommend the second way, because this breaks up the reading into smaller sections, helping to keep the group's concentration.

4. ASKING QUESTIONS

More happens during the question time to help bond your group together than at any other time during the lesson. Spend as much time as you need. Ask the question, tell them: "There are no wrong answers." If no one answers immediately, try asking someone specifically what he/she thinks. If they answer, compliment them on the answer, then ask someone else what they think. Your team can also answer, but tell them beforehand to hold back. They are there to help "fill in the gaps" and encourage the new members to participate.

If a person is reluctant to answer, this may be because they are shy, or really don't know the answer. Don't push them. If answers are given, but not what you would feel to be the main ones, then point them back to the section of the lesson they have just read. Ask them if they can find other answers from there.

After you have given the members of your group an opportunity to answer, you too can bring an answer, maybe with a short testimony from your own experience. If you do, however, remember to keep it short - just a couple of minutes at the most.

5. SUMMARISE

When you have finished with Question 4, ask the group what they feel is the most important thing they learnt out of the lesson. Then summarise in a couple of sentences what the lesson is all about.

6. GIVING SUPPLEMENTS

After the lesson is completed, give out some supplements (if you have some), that they can take home with them. Encourage them again, tell them about the next Bridges meeting, ask them if anyone needs to be picked up, etc.

7. PRAYER

When you're ready to break, take a couple of minutes to pray. This seals the lesson and provides a clear end-note to the group time (after which it will be individuals talking together). It also introduces the group to the concept of prayer. Keep the prayer short and uncomplicated - 30 seconds would be best on the first night - and try to avoid religious words that the new members may not know. Remember that your prayer will be a model of simplicity that they themselves can imitate when they go home. Later, in future lessons, you can invite others to pray - but, again, tell them just short prayers, a couple of sentences each.

8. POST-LESSON

After the lesson, spend time talking over a hot drink, etc. This is the opportunity for specific, life-related questions to arise. Make sure no one is left out of this fellowship.

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