Summertime Impact!
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A Discussion Group in the Summer
“Six Psalms in the Summer.” That’s what we called our group. People were in and out because of vacations, so a discussion guide in the Psalms worked well because each discussion could stand alone. “Abby” brought her King James Bible, purchased for a college class decades before that. I don’t think she had opened it since.
For some people—teachers, for example—summer is an ideal time to spend an hour or two doing something they wouldn’t normally be able to fit into their schedule, such as join a Bible discussion group.
A Summer Event for Neighbors and Friends
Before your group starts, consider hosting a one-time event, such as a neighborhood or apartment cookout/barbecue to break the ice, get to know your neighbors and help them see you are a normal, nice person! My husband and I hosted annual BBQs in our neighborhood. When it was time for me to invite the women on the block to our trial Q Place group, Jane and others knew right away who we were because they had come to these neighborhood events.
The tool Neighborhood Cookouts will give you all the logistics you need to keep this kind of get-together simple and doable. I’m no Martha Stewart, but this worked well for me! Perhaps have a flyer about your summer Bible discussion group visible on a table. Not everyone will want to come, but you never know who would like to try it out, especially if it’s for a limited time.
You may wonder, how do you invite people? What do you say? I’d suggest reading these Invitation Samples that have been effective for others. They may spark your own ideas for invitations that fit people you know. Invite people to come once and check it out before they commit to more discussions.
We recommend doing this with another Christian who understands how this kind of discussion works. (See more about this below!) Between you and your co-facilitator you might invite 15 or 20 friends or neighbors and end up with a solid group of six to eight.
You never know whom God is drawing, who is spiritually thirsty, who would say YES! My neighbor Jane pronounced our group “the highlight of her week!”
What to Discuss in the Summertime
Browse our free discussion guide options in PDF format for your group, including this collection of New-to-Bible Discussion Guide PDFs. When you need resources for a handful of weeks, you can print just what you need for your group participants.
Also, consider if Q Place’s free Bible Conversation Cards might be the perfect fit for people you know. They are PDFs of simple cards that include six discussions with five basic questions on various topics.
Here are some of my favorite discussion guide options for the summer because they are either short or have sessions that can stand alone:
- Finding Peace in an Anxious World, 6 discussions. (Or free as a PDF)
- Psalms: Songs of the Soul, 16 discussions, but pick fewer for the summer. (Or free as a PDF)
- Conversations with Jesus, 8 discussions. (Or free as a PDF)
Heads Up!
Be sure both you and your co-facilitator understand how this kind of Bible discussion works. Christians easily can kill thriving Bible discussions with seekers. To make sure you are on the same page with your co-facilitator and understand how to make your group safe and impactful, take Q Place’s 1.5 hour workshop: How to Start Bible Discussions with Seekers.
May your summer be filled with rest, rejuvenation, and impact!
Fran Goodrich
Q Place Blog Editor
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