I’ve been in small groups where certain topics are awkwardly avoided because of a lack of answer or a tough subject. Recently, I asked my facebook and twitter friends what topics are hardest for them to discuss in small group:
Heather Fitzpatrick says that the hardest topic is where we feel we are failing in our spiritual walk. It is always tough to confront failures.
Kay Sweet says it is hard to talk about reoccurring, unanswerable problems like “unemployment or chronic health issues without sounding like a whiner. Consequently, some folks don’t share their biggest personal challenges.” @Dextersullivan agrees and says, “present personal struggles” are the hardest topics.
Roy Welch says insecurities is the hardest topic to discuss in small groups. Elizabeth Decker believes church leadership/authority is the hardest subject in her small group.
Carol Hoffman’s small group struggles discussing “personal struggles with over-spending, excessive shopping, overeating, etc.” Carol finds that the women she leads “take awhile to admit weakness.” Amy Cawthon offers a good suggestion. She says that “weaknesses are hard, but if the leader is authentic, the group will follow.” @leesvu offered a list of tough subject matter: “doubting God, pornography, lust, homosexuality, prodigals, infidelity. Stuff that should be discussed because people suffer in silence.”
Dan Arnold asks a tough question, “What do you say when you no longer believe the same as the rest of the group?” That is a very valid question, Dan. @Brendanprout offers that “differences in theology/doctrine” create difficult conversations because “even within one church its hard to openly discuss different understandings without conflict.”
Your turn: What topics are difficult for your small group to discuss? What suggestions do you have for small groups that struggle with these same problems?
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