Speaker Or No Speaker?

For any DNow or Retreat Weekend where you have Large Group sessions, you have the choice to either lead the Large Group time yourself or hire an outside speaker. What’s the right way to approach hiring a large group speaker for your DNow weekend? While there are a lot of ways to think about this, I wonder if it might not be as simple as asking yourself the purpose of your DNow.

Community Building vs. Engaging Teaching
If your answer is community building, it might be best to skip the speaker. If you’re the Large Group speaker, you help grow the community even more. Not to mention the time they spend in small group Bible study. Keeping your DNow weekend “in the family” creates a closer, community flavored feel.

But, if your answer is engaging teaching, it may best to have a speaker. A “professional” speaker can often make the Scriptures come alive to students in a powerful way that leaves a long-term impact. Make your selection wisely because in many ways, the speaker sets the pace for many of the other elements of your DNow.

Whatever you choose – speaker or no speaker – make sure that God’s Word is clearly communicated and students are engaged with the text of the Bible, where God begins the process of true change through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Ben Birdsong works with middle school students at First Baptist Church in Pelham, Alabama. Ben loves to minister to students and challenge them to become campus missionaries and to live out their faith.