Always start the lesson with prayer. If someone voices a request, suggest that the group write it on the Prayer Request page at the back of the Study Book as a reminder to pray during the week
If the request is urgent, include it in your opening prayer.

Remember that at the first session of each series eg ‘Who is Jesus?’ each person will write her answers in the Study Book during the first lesson. For the remainder of that study encourage the group to complete the lesson prior to the meeting filling in the answers in their Study Book before coming to class.

Read and present the information in the Guide book in a conversational way, while maintaining eye contact. The Guide is studying and learning with the rest of the group; you don’t have to be an expert in the Bible.

The Guide sets the tone and pace of the study by:

• Starting and ending on time, remember many of these Bible Studies will be in conjunction with the Stonecroft Women’s Empowerment Program, so the mums will have to leave and go onto their Vocational Training Program afterwards.

• Use the Guidebook and Swahili Union Bible or the relevant translated Bible in other countries, no other supplemental material is needed.

• Encourage everyone to participate in the discussion and seeing that no one dominates. Be kind as you encourage others to participate without upsetting the person that is dominating the meeting.

• Keep the focus on the study of Jesus Christ, not doctrinal, political or social issues. Doctrinal questions are best handled in another setting.
Always look for those in your group who would make good Guides for future studies.

As a Guide be an example of discretion. Discourage people from discussing things that should be kept confidential such as domestic disputes. Apart from the group setting, pray with them and encourage them to seek appropriate Godly counsel.

After the Stonecroft Women’s Empowerment Program is completed, any potential Guides should be identified and trained, using this Handbook and the Training Videos if available, enabling the qualified students to return to their homes taking the Stonecroft Bible Studies with them into their village and local churches.

Ask participants to think of people who they can invite to another Bible Study. Encourage them to begin praying for each other by name.
Important Reminders

• If you are unable to lead the Bible Study for any reason, an approved and trained substitute should be called upon to take your place.

• You do not hand your Guide book over to another class member.