What follows is an outline for a
single study circle session. It may be helpful to have this handy for reference as you
lead a study circle.
1. Introductions. Start by giving
group members the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves. If you've already met
several times, at least go around the room to give names.
2. Ground rules. Remind everyone
of the ground rules for study circles, and ask the group for their consent or possible
additions to these ground rules. Be more elaborate in your first meeting, but even in
subsequent meetings the leader can provide a brief reminder by saying, "My role is to
keep discussion focused and moving along. Your role is to share your concerns and beliefs
and to listen carefully to others. You should be willing to examine your own beliefs in
light of what others say."
3. Discussion of personal connection to or
interest in the issue. Ask group members to discuss why this issue is important to
them. "Why are you concerned about this issue?" "How have your experiences
or concerns influenced your opinions about this issue?" This is especially useful if
this is your first session, or if the topic of discussion is a new one for the group.
4. Laying out a range of views. If
the reading material you are using lays out well-defined and distinct views on the issue,
this part will be straightforward. One useful way to make sure all the views are
adequately presented is to ask for an explanation of each view. To accomplish this you can
divide the participants into small groups of three to five people. Give each group the
task of preparing a brief presentation of the best possible case for one of the views;
when time is called, the small groups reassemble to make their brief presentations. This
exercise may call for some degree of role playing, but it helps make sure that a variety
of ideas will be considered in the discussion. Make it clear that this is just a way to
give each view a fair hearing, that this isn't yet the time for an open discussion of the
views.
If the reading material does not distinctly lay out
a range of views, you may wish to ask participants to volunteer what they see as the main
views on the issue based on the reading material and their knowledge of the issue. Here
the leader's acquaintance with the subject will be necessary, so that he or she can help
to raise views that did not come forth from participants.
5. Discussion and deliberation.
This part of the study circle is devoted to wide-open discussion. Encourage participants
to explore their true beliefs, as opposed to those that might have been assigned in small
groups. One useful way to proceed is to ask group members to comment on what they find
appealing and unappealing about the various views that have been put on the table for
discussion: "Do you find yourself more in agreement with a supporter or a critic of
that view, and why?" If the group neglects a major point of view, the leader should
raise it for consideration and ask, "What are the concerns that underlie this
view?"
6. Summary and common ground. Ask
participants to summarize the most important results of their discussion. "Did any
common concerns emerge?" "In what ways do you see the issue differently as a
result of considering others' views?" Participants will likely have some common
concerns and goals even though they have different ideas about how to address or achieve
them.
7. Evaluation and next steps. Ask
participants for their thoughts on the group process. What did they like or not like about
the discussion? You may wish to ask for this in writing to give participants the
opportunity to respond anonymously. If you'll be meeting again, remind the group of the
reading for the next time. If this is your last session, give participants the opportunity
to discuss how they could become further involved in the issue. |