You will be encouraged to bring your experience, perspectives, and uncertainties, and each group member will have to determine where he or she stands as the discussion progresses. We have chosen a group format for exploring these questions primarily because we believe people learn best in active discussion rather than passive listening. It was not Jesus preferred style to lecture, although He did do that. The amazing thing as we read the accounts of Jesus life is how many times He stopped and asked people questions. Of course, He had a message to convey, but He knew listeners listen best when listened to.
Dialogue awakens the mind.
It honors each person, even if the person has inaccurate ideas. It shakes out the theories and beliefs that seem plausible when we ve consulted only ourselves, and holds them up to the light of outside scrutiny. When this process has been followed, people see their own errors and more readily give up weak arguments in favor of better attested facts. Your group should have a discussion leader. That facilitator can get needed background material in the Tough Questions Leader s Guide.