For some people the thought of conducting an introductory meeting for The Way of the Spirit may be quite daunting, but there is no need for it to be so. The following notes should help you to plan the meeting, but please feel free to be relaxed and run it your own way. The way of the Spirit is not law, but freedom. Enjoy it! The purpose of the first meeting is mainly to get to know each other and to look at the basics of how to tackle the course. Once you have done that the rest of the course meetings tend to flow with their own momentum.
1. Before the meeting, have enough books and worksheets for everyone you expect to attend and have a CD set ready to run at the beginning of the introductory talk.
2. Start with introductions.
• Do this in a relaxed way so that you can find out a little about who you have in your group: what Bible studies they have done before, what their standing in God is, and so forth . . .
• It is always useful to know which churches are represented, but please avoid denominational issues. These are of little relevance as far as this course is concerned.
• Remember to introduce yourself!
3. Explain about the course:
• that it is a Bible reading course, not a Bible study course.
• that it teaches itself, through using the workbook, textbook and tapes.
• and that you are there, not to lecture them, but to guide them through it.
4. Tell them something of what you yourself have got out of studying whatever part of it you have done.
5. Explain as briefly as possible how to use the workbook and the textbook. Most of the information you will need to do that is found in the introductory pages of the workbook. Make sure you have read them and understood their instructions before the meeting.
6. Now switch on and listen to the introductory CD. Lead the group in some discussion about what you hear on the tape. Take a look at some of the Bible passages mentioned in the tape.
7. If you have time, run through the Bible's story as outlined on pages 4 to 7 of the textbook with your group.
8. Arrange a suitable place and dates for further meetings.
9. Remember to take names, addresses and telephone numbers in case you need to contact people to reschedule meetings, etc.
10. Pray briefly with the group, committing everything to the Lord and praying for his guidance and revelation over the coming week as the members go off to start their Bible reading.
11. Most important of all: Enjoy it! And God bless your meeting together.
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