Focus Group
(Version One)
The first version of a Focus Group is a simple conversation over
a meal or snacks. Someone should try to
keep the conversation on topic, and be able to ask questions. This is a key relationship building
opportunity; in this particular format the structure should be fairly
hands-off. The leader can choose how
much involvement in the conversation he or she wants. The group is more likely to share when the
leader shares his or her stories. The
entire group should understand the “focus” of the conversation. For example: experiences of being a young
adult in church, or the experience of being a young adult in their current
church.
The following
questions can help to guide the discussion.
1. What is your
first memory of being a member (or not a member) of a church community?
2. How and when did
you feel you were an “adult” in your congregation? (If you do not yet feel as an “adult” imagine
what do you think that transition will be like?)
3. How has your
faith changed, as you have grown older?
Before high school, after high school, after college, at 25, 30, 40,
50… What experiences were particularly
formative?
4.
How has your faith change you, as you’ve grown
older? Again, what experiences were
particularly formative?
1.
What are some of the basic lessons you learned from the
church growing up? From parents?
Teachers? Peers? What were the
differences?
2.
How have your race/culture/ethnicity/gender/ sexuality and
your class location as a child shaped your memories?
3.
How would you characterize your faith now? What is your faith?
4.
What is the best thing about church/worship? What is the most difficult thing about
church/worship?
5.
How do you understand your relationship with God?
6.
List 5 characteristics of God. List 5 characteristics of yourself.