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How to Navigate Disagreements in a Small Group

How to Navigate Disagreements in a Small Group

In your small groups, it is likely that discussions will happen where people disagree. Passions will flare up and debates may break out. All of that is a good thing. We want the members of our groups to wrestle with the truths of the Bible and to do so together. When we deal with issues that fall inside of our doctrinal consensus as a church but there is disagreement on particular points, we need to learn how to discuss them properly. Your groups may have already had one or plenty of such discussions where interpretations were challenged. Let me give a bit of advice about how to handle such discussions and disagreements.

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  • Be intentional.

    Be intentional.

    Don’t prepare with the hopes that it will not happen. Instead, tell the group ahead of time about what the discussion will entail and that there might be varying viewpoints. In fact, an email out to the group prior to the gathering will help everyone be prepared.

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  • Set the ground rules.

    Set the ground rules.

    As the leader of the group, you must set the tone. If you don’t, the first one to voice their position will do it for you. It does not have to be a tense rattling off of the “rules for theological combat.”

    Rather, let the group know that there may be some disagreement during the discussion and that it is okay. Hold up humility, hospitality, and civility as virtues that are needed for spiritual friendships to thrive.

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  • Don't make it personal.

    Don't make it personal.

    The discussion is about the issue, not the person stating their perspective. Help the group members address the issue rather than allowing sarcastic bombs to be lobbed at each other. If someone makes a personal jab, then ask the person to recognize it and make amends.

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  • Clearly state what territory you are in.

    Clearly state what territory you are in.

    It is important to help members of the group understand if you are discussing an issue that is inside of our orthodox beliefs or touching on a subject that is deemed historically heretical. For example, to discuss the four major views of the millennial reign of Jesus is territory within the orthodox faith of Christianity.

    On the other hand, discussing the nature of Jesus and claiming that He was created by God as a normal man is a perspective that takes you outside of our faith. You can take the verbal temperature of the room down a notch if you help everyone understand if the issue is about orthodoxy or about a concept over which the church has debated for centuries.

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  • Represent others' views fairly.

    Represent others' views fairly.

    Don’t allow a member of the group to mischaracterize a viewpoint just so they can make it appear silly. If you are going to disagree with someone’s perspective, do so with respect. Caricatures of others will create division in the relationships.

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  • Don't allow a contentious spirit to dominate.

    Don't allow a contentious spirit to dominate.

    Robust and passion discussions about our faith and the Bible are good. But a contentious spirit toward one another is destructive. If you see the conversation getting out of hand, intervene. Remind the group that we are called to live in unity as Christ followers.

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  • Keep the "So what?" question obvious.

    Keep the "So what?" question obvious.

    Some of the discussions are simply to understand better. But even in those topics that are more intellectually driven still have a point of application. Your group is designed to facilitate spiritual transformation.

    Lead the discussion so that everyone comes away with an answer to the “So what?” question.

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  • Plan for the conclusion.

    Plan for the conclusion.

    Unless you intend for the discussion to fill the entire small group meeting, make sure you plan on how to conclude the discussion.

    It can be as simple as “I know there is more we could talk about __________, but let’s make sure we cover some other ideas and find how they apply to our lives.”

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  • Follow up.

    Follow up.

    In the days after your discussion (or debate), do some personal follow-up with both those who vehemently stated their position and those who remained silent. Everyone will likely need a debrief of some length to relieve any left over tension. In the next group meeting, do not ignore the fact of the previous discussion. Acknowledge and help people move on to the next topic of biblical conversation.

    Discussion and debate about how to understand and apply biblical passages is necessary. As you lead your group, ensure that you prepare yourself and your friends for how to do so in a way that leads to spiritual transformation.

    This article has been adapted from "How to Handle Disagreements in Your Small Group," found here.

    Philip Nation is the adult ministry publishing director for LifeWay Christian Resources. Find out more on his blog.

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