Tips for Participating or Leading a Book Study

Here are some tips for those participating or leading a book study for work, church, or personal enrichment.  While not exhaustive, these tips should help you get the most out of the study and provide an enriching experience for all involved.

Participants:

1. Once you know the date of the next book study session, plan backward to allow plenty of time to read the material and reflect on it.
1. Read about 5 -10 pages at a time, any more and the material can be overwhelming, any less and you may miss important connections
2. As you are reading or while reading underline or highlight points that stick out as significant.
3. After reading sit quietly for a few minutes and ponder what the author was trying to say and try to contextualize it in your own life with an example, either in support or in contrast (yes, it is OK to disagree with the author).  Jot a few notes in the margin or at the end of the section from your pondering.
4. Also write down questions or observations which the reading has prompted.
2. The day before or at least the morning before the book study, review what you have underlined and the notes you have made so the material is fresh in your mind.
3. During the book study ALWAYS make sure you speak up at least once. 
1. Your participation enhances the learning experience for everyone
2. Your participation marks you as an interested learner, while your quiet observation could be construed as passive or worse.
3. Your participation will stretch your communication skills and enhance your ability to articulate concepts and interact with peers in a healthy exchange.
4. NEVER be rude or offensive in your comments, remembering "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."  Obnoxious people develop a reputation which almost always limits their upward mobility and reduces their number of friends and colleagues.
4. If the opportunity is offered to lead a discussion, ALWAYS volunteer.  This will elevate your communication skills and make you more likely to be noticed as someone willing to take a risk and exercise leadership.  To quote a line from the "Replacements" movie:  "Leaders always want the ball."
5. Following the study, take time to write a short summary of the conversations and points which made an impression.  Ponder those points and see where you could make application in your personal life.

Leaders:

1. ALWAYS be thoroughly prepared to carry the conversation for the entire session if necessary, anticipating that few may join in, if they do, that is a bonus; if not at least you are able to share content.
2. Start on time.
3. End on time
4. Set the date for the next session and announce it well in advance so participants have more than enough time to complete the reading.
5. Use questions which require longer responses.
6. Call on select individuals to respond to questions in a non-threatening fashion.
7. ALWAYS be positive when participants take the risk to respond - even if they are completely off target, be positive and then gently turn the conversation onto the right track
8. NEVER denigrate those in leadership in your organization, instead find the positive and keep that if focus.
9. Encourage participants to lead different sessions of the study.  This allows them to practice leadership and communication skills - HOWEVER, even if someone has volunteered to lead a session ALWAYS, ALWAYS be thoroughly prepared yourself to lead that session as well.  The individual could be called away or simply flounder so much that your assistance could be needed.
10. Use personal examples carefully and be especially careful about going into too much detail.
11. If someone is dominating the conversation, regain control by directing specific questions to other individuals directly.
12. After the study, write a short summary of the conversations, relevant points and a list of those present.  This will be useful if you conduct the study again in the future and there may have been points raised which require more research, or can be implemented into your personal or professional life.