A Quick Introduction…

Our small group has two study series per year—one in the spring and one in the fall. Each study series typically runs 8-10 meetings. The meetings run 1 ½ hours with social time and snacks after.

We read a book for each study series. Before each meeting, we read a few chapters and journal on the “questions to contemplate.” During the meeting, we use the questions to launch our discussions. There’s an opening and closing prayer. And the social time afterward. That’s it in a nutshell.

Of course, there is more to it. However, for now, there are only two more subjects we would like you to cover: 1) Discussion Guidelines, & 2) Questions to Contemplate. Please carefully read about these. It is important.

Discussion Guidelines

• It is important that the atmosphere be comfortable and welcoming.
• The group offers each person the opportunity to express his/her own feelings and thoughts, to share at the level where he/she is comfortable or not to share at all.
• Silence is good and a vital part of the total process. Do not feel pressured to move on due to a period of thoughtful silence. It is important to allow ample time for silent reflection in order to give participants time to think about and build on what has been said.
• Being accepted and listened to respectfully are essential for openness and honesty. A true desire to listen to others and be open to them is a key element of Christian growth in community.
• Ambiguity and differences of perspective need to be expected and accepted.
• The whole group bears responsibility for the quality of the group’s experience.
• Anything shared in the group is confidential.

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Paladin Discussion Questions

We formulate our questions to inspire contemplation and discussion. We create open-ended questions, as much as possible, as this promotes vistas of contemplation and discussion that closed-ended questions never could. Open-ended questions are more subjective and personal—broader and opinion-based. They require us to evaluate our own views and experiences in light of the current topic. They ask us about our thoughts and experiences—about our opinions and speculations.  Closed-ended questions are narrow in focus and usually answered with a single word or by choosing from multiple-choice options. Sometimes they simply seek a yes or no answer. Even when we occasionally ask a yes or no question, we do so as part of a group of questions seeking a very open-ended answer. Our goal is to guide you in pondering deeply and then hearing from you—hearing your thoughts, experiences, opinions, speculations, and feelings.

Our discussion series usually have 5-6 groups of questions per evening. Each group typically has 3-4 questions. Each question group is tackled as a single journaling cue or as a single discussion starter. Your reply is never meant to individually answer each question, but rather to share your thoughts based on the series of questions as a whole. You might journal on (or discuss) the general topic in considerable detail while only answering one of the questions—or even none of them. The series of questions are always meant to promote meaningful contemplation more than to test comprehension. And, of course, the answers may come directly from your personal experiences or what you perceive as the common experience, or simply your own logic. All this will benefit you most if you journal on the questions and then discuss them with others. This is how our small group has ordinary people helping each other connect everyday life to their faith.

These groups of questions are normally related to one another. Often, they build on each other. And even when these are close-ended questions, they are nonetheless food for thought—inspiration. Even a somewhat close-ended question can be an invitation for a very deep and personal consideration.

For example, rather than simply ask what it means to “enter through the narrow gate,” we would ask a series of personal questions connected to indeed entering the narrow gate:

“How willing are you to enter through the narrow gate? What in your life and attitude needs to change first? What is holding you back? Do you truly understand how eager God is to accomplish this wonderful work within you?”

These questions get you thinking—get you pondering your life and your walk with Jesus. Your journaling and your sharing on these questions may indeed address only a single question, and even that might only be in part or indirectly. However, the group of questions offers lots of food for thought—for applying the material to your life.

Journaling at least 2-4 sentences for each question group will draw you into the deep spiritual waters. You may read from your journaling during the discussion, or you may simply glance at it as notes for the discussion. Even when you don’t consult your journal during the discussion, you will nonetheless have a great deal more to draw from during the discussion because of this thoughtful journaling.

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