A number of CUs in the UK have started to run Discussion Events. Rather than just listening to one person speak from the front for an extended period, many have found that engagement is deeper and conversations are richer if discussion in small groups is built into the event.
Discussion events also allow you to embody the culture that the gospel brings: a sense of journeying together as equals, a sense of dignifying one another, and a sense of being able to come honestly to God.
In these events, a speaker will lead a one-hour session. In this session, they will speak for 4–5 short sections, with space for people to talk in between. The session might also include an interview or creative responses to the theme of the talk.
Here is an example of how a Discussion Event could run:
A conversation about loneliness, connection, and being loved
Talk segment 1: How do we deal with loneliness?
Discussion 1: What were you brought up to expect from human relationships?
Talk segment 2: John 4:3–9
Discussion 2: How do you imagine the woman felt as Jesus spoke with her?
Talk segment 3: John 4:10–14
Discussion 3: Can you share a time when a relationship — with a person or a group — negatively impacted your life?
Talk segment 4: John 4:15–end
Interview: A student story about knowing the love of God personally
Talk segment 5: John 4:15–end
Discussion 5: What did you make of what you’ve heard tonight? Where did it connect with you? What questions did it raise?
Tips for discussion-style events:
- Aim to host your events in a space where people can gather around tables.
- Ask your speaker to come up with discussion questions that both Christians and non-Christians can answer honestly. You want to avoid a situation where non-Christians feel targeted, or where Christians feel like they need to provide a fake answer.
- Help your CU members know what to expect at the event. Encourage them to listen and not just speak. Encourage them that they don’t need to start speaking about Jesus right away — conversation will grow across the evening.