TAKE YOUR GROUP ONLINE
WITH OUR TIPS & ADVICE
Studying God’s Word together has so many benefits, including being able to challenge one another, hearing the thoughts and insights of others, and the fellowship of being with other believers. Sometimes though, circumstances mean that it is impossible to meet together in person, but that doesn’t mean we stop meeting!
Praise God, there are many options now which allow us to take our groups and classes online. Whether it’s a simple WhatsApp call between 4 friends, or a Zoom seminar with 100s of participants, we can continue to study together.
We have pulled together links to popular software, some tips and advice, and some how-to information to help you think through taking your group or class online.
Remember: Moving your Bible study group online may feel daunting, but don’t worry, it is absolutely possible! It may take some getting used to, but you and your group will adjust more quickly than you expect. Your participants will most likely adjust faster than you! But far beyond this, GOD is sovereign... even over the Internet!
Choose a study
What does your group normally study? You may normally study a Precept Upon Precept course - do you want to continue, or try something new? There is a limited supply of 40 Minute Series, New Inductive Study Series, and other books in stock.
Maybe you want to share some encouragement with others on a one off basis. Why not use a Lightning Study or one of the free resources available on our blog to introduce others to Precept, and share what you have been learning from God’s Word?
Visit our shop and choose the material you want, and order it as soon as possible in case stock runs out.
Choose Your Application
There is a large number of applications that you can use to meet with others online. We cannot tell you which one to use, but we have found Zoom to be useful and functional.
Below are 5 different options. We have provided a couple of notes about each to help you think if that software could be of use to you. You may decide to use one, or you may decide to use a combination of these. Click on the image beside each description to go to the website, to find out more and to download the software.
ZOOM
Free HD meeting app with video and screen sharing for up to 50 people (Paid version adds more users & functions).
It works on Windows / Mac desktop, iOs devices, & Android devices.
Simple to setup and use with various meeting functions.
GOOGLE HANGOUTS
Free meeting app with group messaging for up to 100 people, and voice / video calls for up to 10 people (Paid version adds more users & functions).
Works on a lot of devices, allows photo / file sharing, but requires people to connect using their personal Google accounts, which may exclude those who don’t have one. Works on iOS / Android / the web.
Simple to use, can host lots of people, but free version lacks screen sharing.
FACEBOOK MESSENGER / WHATSAPP
Free meeting app with video calls for up to 6 people, and more can join by voice only.
Works on a lot of devices, but requires people to connect using their personal Facebook accounts, which may exclude those who don’t have one. Works on iOS / Android / the web.
Good for a conversation with a small group, but no conference call functions.
FACETIME
Facetime is iOS-only, which limits its use as a universal solution.
It can however support up to 32 people in a single call.
Free, hosts a large group, but only available for iPhone, iPad or Mac.
TIPS & ADVICE
Tip #1: Different venue / same you
An online group is still a Bible study, and you can and should lead your discussion the same way you would lead in-person. Your preparation, your humour, your style - these all stay the same. Some things will need to be adjusted, but keep those adjustments as simple as possible for you and the participants.
Tip #2: Remember the Leader Manual
If you have underwent Precept Leader training, remember your manual? Go back and read over the "General Principles for Leading Discussion”. If you have not been trained recently this may be new to you but it is the simplest way to lead your group in a robust discussion with minimal visual aids and teaching.
Tip #3: Schedule your meetings
Scheduling your times gives people the opportunity to prepare and plan to attend.
Tip#4: Create an invitation
Create an invitation and send it out by text, email, on social media, or ring people! If you are using Zoom, you can create a calendar invitation with the meeting link automatically.
Tip #5: Remind people
Remind people of the class the day before, or at least a few hours before on the day itself.
Tip #6: Set the expectations
Just like you would in a Bible study in person, set the expectations for the online group. Tell your group to treat this time as if you were meeting in person - so do the normal things you would do! Get your cup of coffee before you sit down. Turn your mobile phone to silent (unless they are using that for the meeting!). Respect other people while they are talking. Reminding people of the confidentiality within the group. As the host and leader, explain these expectations before the study begins.
Tip#7: Meet early
As we are depending on technology to study together, it’s a good idea to begin the meeting slightly earlier (10 minutes is fine) to allow individuals to join and check their audio / video connection. This will help deal with any problems before the study begins.
Tip #8: Use the Leader Guide
If you are using a PUP or In & Out study, it is important that you download and follow the leader guide. It is a logical order of discussion that will help your group discuss what they have observed and apply it to their lives.
Tip #9: Mute & Unmute
Encourage everyone to stay on mute to keep background noise to a minimum. Participants can unmute to speak and then mute again when finished.
Tip #10: Discussion is messy but worthwhile
Opening the floor to discussion and leading with questions is still the best way to lead a Precept group. It will seem more difficult at first - talking over one another, waiting for people to unmute, awkward pauses, but it is worth it. As the group gets used to the technology it will feel more natural.
Tip #11: Keep It Simple
Screen-share sparingly so the focus is on each other, not a document. Don’t add PowerPoint or extra visual aids, and don’t worry about all the chat and share features. Keep the focus on the group discussion like you would in person.
Tip #12: Always begin and end with prayer
Start your meeting in the best way, and finish it in the same way.
Tip #13: Follow Up
Follow up as you would normally do in-person. If this includes texts, emails or reminders, keep the same rhythm.
Tip #14: Ask for feedback!
You are learning, and so is your group, about how to lead in an online environment and you will grow with them. Ask some trusted members of the group how it went and if they think anything could be done better.
Something to think about: Privacy & Security
Online studies are great, but there is a negative side to these digital groups which you must think about.
The first is privacy. Trust within a small group is important, and so is confidentiality. Online group studies should not be recorded unless you have the express permission of everyone in your group. Recording a study, unless you have permission, breaches a persons right to online privacy, but also can also negatively impact upon the group by stifling discussion as people may not want to contribute.
The second thing to consider is security. Do not publish your meeting details in public forums but instead, contact participants directly. Use a meeting password so unwanted visitors can not enter the meeting, and if using Zoom, enable the waiting room feature so you can see who is trying to join for another level of security.
Get in touch with us if you want to discuss any of these resources further, or if you have found something that worked for you - share it with us so we can share it with others!