#13 - How do you keep a Bible study on track?

In this episode, the hosts delve into the challenges of maintaining focus while conducting The Exchange Bible Study, especially when participants have numerous questions and concerns. Here are the key points discussed:

1. **Answering Questions is Crucial:**
   - Unlike old-school evangelism that prioritizes staying on message and deflecting questions, this approach emphasizes the importance of addressing participants' queries.
   - Many questions, like those about the goodness of God amidst suffering, are credibility questions that need answers for participants to genuinely engage with the Gospel.

2. **Patience and Persistence:**
   - The hosts share a story of a friend who spent 22 weeks going through The Exchange Bible Study with an unbelieving friend. Despite numerous questions and obstacles, the patient and thorough approach led to the friend's eventual belief in Christ.
   - This underscores the idea that evangelism often requires more than one interaction and necessitates addressing concerns and questions thoroughly.

3. **Staying on Topic vs. Keeping on Track:**
   - While it's important to stay on topic, the hosts argue that it's not about keeping participants on track but rather ensuring the facilitator stays focused on the subject matter.
   - Confidence in the Gospel's power and a genuine burden to see friends come to faith are highlighted as essential motivations for perseverance.

4. **Managing Distractions:**
   - Some participants may not have questions but simply enjoy talking, which can lead to distractions.
   - The Exchange Bible Study provides a structured format that helps keep the discussion anchored. Facilitators can redirect conversations back to the text with phrases like, "That's great, now let’s see what this next paragraph, or this next question says …”

Overall, the episode encourages a balanced approach of patience, addressing questions, and using the structure of The Exchange Bible Study to maintain focus.