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by Ann KrauseThere's nothing like a good book, and there's nothing like sharing a good book with someone else.
A book club is a great way to get together with others and discuss ideas and issues. You can meet new people, expand your imagination and share a new experience--and that's not all! You can introduce your book club to the REAL Good Book and share the power of God's truth.
Getting started is as easy as one, two, three.
Forming Your Group
Who's in charge?
God is the author and finisher of our faith--who better to lead a club for readers! Give your club to the Lord. Pray that He will guide you to the right people for your discussion group and that He will go before you in choosing material which will serve to draw people to himself.
Whom do you know?
Make contacts, perhaps through a bulletin board in your building at work or at home, through an ad in you church bulletin, through neighbors or colleagues.
Making Decisions
You and your group have some decisions to make.
· What do you want to accomplish?
This book club is a great pre-evangelism strategy, allowing you to get to know non-Christians at work, in your church and in your neighborhood. Keep this in mind as you decide on a purpose for your group, and put it into words. Ask, what do you want to get out of the group, what do you want to learn, what you want to share? This will determine not only the kinds of books you choose but the kinds of topics you will discuss and how.
· Where will you meet?
It may be in someone's home, in different member's homes on a rotating schedule or in a neutral location such as a library conference room or a coffee house. You may wish to have your discussion over dessert or brunch, in which case you can select a restaurant with a private room.
· What will you read?
The big question. Your group's objectives will shape this decision. For instance, if you would like to focus on social issues, your group may choose to read largely non-fiction books. Or you may choose to read an historical account of an event and a fictional treatment of the same event.
· How often will you meet?
This may be determined by the number of books you choose to read at a time. For instance, if you choose to read two books together you may choose to meet bi-monthly. If you choose only one title, you might decide to meet every month.
Plan Your Gathering
A book club is a social group; an informal atmosphere will put everyone at ease and help the discussion to flow. Always have a discussion leader or moderator to keep your program on track and help focus your conversation. Here is a sample program:
· Welcome
If it is at someone's home, the hostess should greet you and introduce your time together. If you have chosen a neutral setting, you may want to have your discussion leader or moderator act as an emcee.
· Grace (if you are having a meal)
· Discussion
Encourage members to mark specific passages for easy reference. It may be helpful for the discussion leader to design some study questions - to be considered while you are reading the book - which may be discussed at this time. Encourage members to make notes of style and content which seem important to them. Don't allow the discussion to wander too far from your purpose and objectives, as this could lead to frustration for some of your members and cause them to leave your group. Ensure that there is an agreement for politeness among members; some topics may lead to heated debate and you will want to avoid any hurt feelings.
· Closing
Set a definite time for the end of your meeting and stick to it. The host/ess or discussion leader may thank everyone for their participation and ensure that all arrangements for the next meeting have been completed.
Twice a year, host an evangelistic coffee party featuring a speaker who loves to read--who perhaps came to know Christ through reading a good book-- and invite your book club members. Your shared love of reading is a perfect opportunity to introduce them to the greatest book ever written!
These articles on Christian Women Today will help you plan your evangelistic gathering:
Christmas Evangelistic Parties
For more information, e-mail Women Today at dorisb@crusade.org.
Book club idea from Ann Krause, pastor's wife, Coquitlam Alliance Church, British Columbia, Canada. You can email her at dkrause@intergate.bc.ca.
