Saturday, June 30, 2012

Discussion Guidelines # 11




...see previous posts on "Guidelines"



21. Are we aware that some of these rules will probably be broken?  What will we learn about ourselves and leadership when they are broken?
a. By us?
b. By others?
Can we ask and answer the question, “What did you learn from that”?  These guidelines form boundaries that are sometimes difficult to remember and/or difficult to keep.  When we hold ourselves and others accountable to do what we agreed to do, it can be helpful.  If a guideline is not helpful, it can be changed.  Self-reporting is especially commendable and an opportunity to teach and give others permission to analyze themselves in the group process.


22. Will we agree to try to apply these Biblical principles to ourselves before we try to “fix” other people who are in this group or people who are not here? Psalm 139:23,24; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Corinthians 10:12
This may be one of the most difficult.  I often say it is hard to keep everyone in the room during a class or group session.  I want to jump out the window and bring in a friend or an enemy who needs to hear this more than I do.  “I wish John and Mary were here.  They really need to hear this.  Those folks down the street need this.”  I call this the “me first” principle of Bible study.  The first question I need to ask when studying God’s word or implementing principles that I am learning is, “How does this apply to me?”.


...to be continued...

Friday, June 1, 2012

Discussion Guidelines # 10






...see previous posts on "Guidelines"


19. Will we attend all sessions?  If we must be absent, will we tell the group why?

It is a matter of courtesy to be responsible to a group (class, elder’s meeting, committee meeting).  It takes group energy away from group process when a member is late or absent without explanation.  “I wonder if they are sick, had an accident, forgot, or don’t care about our work?”  This can be eliminated by a call or e-mail:  “I will be fifteen minutes late,” or “I am sick and will be unable to be at tonight’s meeting.”


20. Will we agree to not talk about group business during breaks?
This guideline is especially helpful in groups that are learning experiences in how groups work.  If we talk about group business during breaks, we deprive the rest of the group from our thoughts and ourselves of the wisdom of the rest of the group.  If the meeting is dealing with conflict, it is easier to choose sides and plot destruction by subdividing and talking about others during breaks of ten minutes or two days.

...to be continued...