As a LifeGroup Leader, you get to help the people in your group engage in meaningful conversations that impact their personal and spiritual growth. But what does leading a great discussion actually look like? Use these seven ideas as a jumping off point for guiding conversations that make a difference.

1. Prepare Beforehand. In order to have meaningful conversations and respect people’s time, it’s important to prepare well as a facilitator. Here are two examples of things you can do to prepare well. First, pray for your time together. This will put you in the right headspace for leading your group. Second, familiarize yourself with the content you’ll be using. The more you know about the topic, the more value you can offer during the discussion.
2. Ask Open-Ended Questions. Whether you’re creating your own questions or using a conversation guide, it’s important to avoid asking questions that result in one-word answers like “yes” or “no.” While these questions can be occasionally useful, they don’t naturally lead into deeper discussion. Instead, focus on asking questions that invite critical thinking and dialogue. These questions will encourage everyone in your group to think more deeply and engage in a conversation that is both interesting and informative.

   • Pro-Tip: If you use the Talk It Over, you’ll be resourced with great, open-ended questions every week!

3. Set Ground Rules. Ground rules are a key component to a healthy LifeGroup. They set social expectations from the moment your group begins meeting together. Some helpful ground rules include respecting everyone’s opinions, withholding from interrupting while others are talking, and providing space for everyone to contribute.
4. Model Active Listening. As the facilitator, the way you listen to others will influence the entire group. If you appear disinterested when someone is speaking, it may encourage others to do the same. On the other hand, if you show that you are engaged and attentive, others will follow your example. You can model active listening by maintaining eye contact with the speaker, nodding, and using short verbal affirmations.
5. Facilitate, Don’t Dominate. As the facilitator, it can be easy to dominate your LifeGroup’s conversation. But that’s not your goal. Your role is to keep the discussion on track, encourage collaboration, and ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute. This may mean that your group does most of the talking while you guide the conversation in the right direction.
6. Defer When Necessary. Sometimes a person may bring up a topic during a group conversation that would be better suited for a one-on-one discussion. In those situations, it’s important to listen carefully and acknowledge their input. You can then suggest a follow-up conversation with them at an appropriate time. This will ensure that they feel heard and understood, while also respecting the comfort of other group members.
7. Invite Feedback. Feedback is a great way to learn how you can improve as a conversation facilitator. Periodically check in with your LifeGroup members to get their input on ways you can improve. Then once you receive their feedback, be willing to put it into practice.