Gauging When to Trim Conversation

A number of the classes I teach are large, sometimes 100+ people. I often use the strategy of a rhythm of teaching a little, then asking them to work on a question or issue as small groups for 3-4 minutes, then coming back together as a large group to talk it through. Then repeat.

There are a couple of keys which help this process work better:

1. Have a handout with the relevent Scriptures and the question you want them to work on together. This makes it easier for people to be "on the same page."

2. Use good questions that open up discussion in the group. I prefer "window" questions rather than "pin" questions which have one right, definite answer, in these settings.

The other helpful practice is to gauge when to cut off conversation. You can look for cues that people are done talking in their group, for example, or are now talking about something else.

My counsel is to call the groups together again before they're all out of discussion. Leave 'em hungry for more, instead of burned out and bored with one another.

In this model you can only teach a few key things that you want them to get. So teach less, but teach it very well. Really hone in on your questions.