Some problems that the leader may face

What do you do when nobody says anything?

This problem is common during the first two or three questions in a new group. Don't panic! People will start answering if they see that you won't do it for them. It is usually only the leader who feels the silence is too long. Others are thinking about the Bible text! The silence in this case is positive silence, not negative.

• But if no one really answers, ask the same question once more.
• Ask the question in a little different way.
• Go on without any answer to the next question.

• Encourage other participants to answer. Someone else may know what you don't.
• Promise to find out for the next time - and keep your promise.
• You can simply admit that you don't know - and go on.

What do you do when someone gives a wild answer?

You should never say to the face of a participant that he/she is wrong, because he/she may feel it like a loss of face.

• Again, ask the others. Usually someone gives the right answer.
• Ask the person: "What in this passage made you think that way?" and hopefully he realizes that text does not say the things he thought it did.

What do you do if the participants drift away from the text?

There are people who always tend to do this. If the leader lets them, there will be no meeting with Jesus for anyone during that study.

• To forestall this problem you should say in the beginning of the study, "We will try to go through this text in an hour. If you start to talk about other things, I will return you/bring you back to the text."
• If someone starts to tell lengthily about his/her experiences, which don't have anything to do with the passage, you can say, "Let's hear the rest of this story during the teatime, and go through the questions first."

• If you are afraid that such situation might occur, you should say in the beginning of a study, "Please give short answers so that we may hear as many opinions as possible!"
• Go on with the next question when this person stops to draw his/her breath.

• Say, "Please, answer first in your heart and then aloud."
• Don't look at this person.
• In every case, you ask the opinion of others, when this person has finished.
• Discuss with him/her in private about this problem.

What do you do if there arises a disagreement on some doctrinal matter?

This doesn't happen often, but if it does...

• Summarize both viewpoints.
• Try to make both sides look at the text.
• Agree that you disagree and go on.
• If the matter is very important, then ask your pastor to come next time and explain the matter. Or else let participants read a book or listen a tape about the doctrine in question.

What do you do if somebody interrupts the Bible study by saying that he doesn't like the system?

There are people who would like to have "a right answer" to every question, and become unhappy when nobody seems to give them.

• Say, "Please, sit here to the end of this study. Perhaps you will see what the point of this system is."
• Or you can lead a person like this to a more traditional meeting where he/she can hear a sermon every time.

What do you do if one of the participants doesn't ever say a word?

Try to find out if this person really wants to be silent. Those who like to sit still don't usually look at the leader. Don't force them to talk. Those who would like to say something but don't have the courage to do it, usually look at the leader. You can encourage them to say their opinions every now and then.

What if somebody becomes angry?

If somebody gets angry to what the Bible says, it is God's responsibility, not yours.

• The leader should not try to remove what is offending in the Bible. Jesus let both the rich young man and Pharisees leave him without trying to pacify them.
• Say to yourself that perhaps it is better to be angry than indifferent.
• But if somebody gets offended with real shortcomings and sins of the church or Christians, then we should admit them and ask forgiveness.

What if a participant has mental problems, which make him/her talk all the time?

Experience shows that in that case it is better to find another group for the person in question, otherwise the Glad Tidings study will not last long.