Carol and Jack made the decision to leave their church of more than 30 years to try a new church in a different denomination. Carol was quickly invited to a small group Bible study where many of her new friends attended. Everyone was nice and welcoming, but when they discussed Scripture, Carol realized that conversation would often veer in unbiblical directions. The leader didn’t seem to have the knowledge, skill or possibly the courage to keep the discussion on track. After a few months, Carol decided that small group wasn’t for her and with the bad taste it left, she knew she wouldn’t try going to a small group again.

With the rise in popularity of the small-group model, the church needs wise facilitators who know the Bible well enough to hold the group accountable to the truth. A small group leader also needs to know how to engage with unbiblical thinking with grace, discernment and a commitment to the truth. Here are a few tips for keeping a discussion in line with Scripture.

1. Know your Bible, and when you don’t, look it up.

Any small group facilitator or Sunday school teacher needs to be biblically literate. In small churches, this is often problematic because biblically literate leaders can be scarce. If that’s the case for you, don’t be afraid to say, “I’m really not sure, but let’s figure it out together.” Follow up with a mentor or pastor to get the information and guidance you need.

2. Ask Clarifying Questions.

When a group member says something that sounds unbiblical at first, ask clarifying questions. “Did you mean ____ when you said _____?” or, “It sounds like you are referring to ______, did I understand you correctly?” Often, people have trouble communicating clearly, especially in a group setting. This approach encourages reflection and may prompt the member to reconsider his or her view.

3. When biblically errant comments are made, leverage your group to get to the truth.

When things are going off the rails, ask your group, “can anyone think of Scripture that talks about this?” Know that people in your small group are from all walks of life in varying stages of spiritual maturity. Often group members can gently correct one another by looking into the Bible together. Some topics are hard to biblically discern. If Scripture doesn’t speak to it directly, look for biblical principles that apply.

Navigating unbiblical thinking in small group settings requires a nuanced approach and it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers. Keep in mind, the goal is to edify and build up one another in the knowledge and love of Christ. Come prepared and navigate discussions with grace, discernment and a commitment to upholding biblical truth. In doing so, you will contribute to the growth and unity of the group while maintaining a firm doctrinal foundation.