So you've been asked to do the questions in smallgroup and now you're panicking! We've all been there. What if no-one wants to talk? What if they say something dodgy? What if I mess it up? Don't worry - smallgroup is the place to learn and make mistakes. Everyone will be rooting for you and it's a great opportunity to help the group grow in their faith and understanding of God's word. You don't have to be a great theologian - if there are questions that no-one knows the answer to you can always send someone off to find out over the course of the next week. There are a few things to bear in mind though and here are my top 10 tips to how to lead 'the questions'. Have fun!

1/ Own the questions. Don't say 'well I don't understand question 5 but here it is anyhow'. If you don't understand a question either check it out with someone else first or don't use it. If you think a question is unclear then use your own words.

2/ Try your best NOT to read the questions but to throw them in conversationally. Have the paper with the questions on your lap so that you can refer to it but don’t try to read it verbatim. For example, instead of saying “Right Question No 1 says this <read paper>. What do you think is the answer Billy?” say something like “let’s talk about growing in faith – how does anyone here feel like they have grown?”

3/ For the first question (usually an ice-breaker style one) answer the questions yourself first. You will set the length and openness that you're expecting from others. Do this also for questions that require more openness. If your answers are shallow - it's likely that everyone else's will be!!

4/ There are no prizes for answering all the questions. The point is that the group apply God's word NOT that we get through all of the questions. As long as you feel a discussion is helpful, let it run it's course. When it starts to die down (or you feel it's gone too far off track) then lob in another question. If there is a question that you think will be helpful for the group and you're running out of time - skip some and jump straight to it.

5/ Ask the 'double question'. What I mean is, if someone has been said something that is unclear or needs further probing then ask them for some more detail - don't just move on to the next person. If someone has said something that is clearly unbibical, don't just leave it! Ask them to explain some more and then say 'what does everyone else think about that'.

6/ Similar to 5/ - don't feel that you have to ask every individual to answer every question. When a number have answered move on - particularly if you have a group of 8+ people. Otherwise it gets boring. If you like ask 'does anyone else have a different perspective on this?'

7/ Draw in the quieter people. The power of smallgroup is that everyone can have a chance to talk. Don't be embarrassed to ask those who haven't spoken what they think - but allow them off the hook easily with a 'think about it - perhaps we'll come back to you' if it's obviously awkward for them.

8/ Don’t allow domination of the group but 1 or 2 people. If someone is dominating the discussion then say 'hey John you've obviously got loads to say on this issue - what does everyone else think?'

9/ When it comes for prayer at the end, pick out the key issues that have come up. It may be that 1 or 2 individuals have expressed that they need help over something - get the whole group to pray for those 2 (assuming they are willing - ask them!). Don't feel that you have to pray for everyone. Alternatively, it may be that everyone needs to ask God for help.

10/ Relax and have fun. Studying and applying God’s word together in a smallgroup setting should be fun! If you’re really uptight then everyone will be. Relax, have fun, expect God to move and the Holy Spirit to work in your own life as well as the life of the group!