The Dessert/Discussion Series is a vehicle through which Christian faculty and staff with their spouses can invite unbelieving colleagues and their spouses to join in a discussion. It is designed to provide an atmosphere where genuine dialogue about significant issues can take place.
The series occurs within an informal setting in the home of a faculty couple. Guests are free to discuss any question they would like to ask as it relates to the issues of life and God. The questions are considered from various viewpoints, one of which is the Christian perspective. In this casual atmosphere, barriers topple and opportunities inevitably arise to expose sincere seekers to Jesus Christ.
The series is not an end in itself, but rather a catalyst designed to create natural opportunities for conversing with colleagues about Christ.
The Mixer: 7:30-8:00 p.m.
Distribute name tags and enjoy good food. Encourage a party atmosphere with personal attention and warmth.
The Discussion: 8:00-9:00 p.m.
The After-Meeting: 9:00-10:00 p.m.
Partake of more good food. Continue discussions on a one-to-one basis. Friends listen and clarify. Questions can be answered. Friendships are built and strengthened.
There is groundwork that must be done before a Dessert/Discussion can ever take place. It begins with a core group of Christians who meet once a week for three weeks prior to the Dessert/Discussions. These three sessions prepare and equip the core group in the essentials of understanding how the series functions and how to use the proper approaches to the gospel.{1}
During these meetings, the core group participants are trained in how to create an atmosphere that facilitates evangelism, how to handle reactions that stifle conversation, and how to respond tactfully to the discussion.
Following these sessions, invitations are sent out by the core group couples. Each couple gives out at least five invitations to non-Christians. The invitations include dates, time, location, and a map if needed. A list of topics for discussion about God and life can be included as well. A minimum of four meetings is suggested.
Some groups continue to meet after the four initial times together. A good follow-up to this is the How Should We Then Live video series by Francis Schaeffer.{2} It consists of ten videos which are 30 minutes in length. Two videos can be shown at each meeting for a total of five additional meetings.
An additional Dessert/Discussion series, to be used with David Barton's Our Godly Heritage video series, is available from Christian Leadership Ministries. This series gives excellent detail with dessert suggestions, ice breakers, and discussion questions. It contains everything needed to have a successful series of evenings together.{3}
{1}Excellent training material for this format is available from Search Ministries, 5038 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Telephone: (410) 740-5300.
{2}Francis Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live video series, Good News/Crossway Publishing Co., 1983.
{3}Dessert/Discussion for Our Godly Heritage is available by contacting Christian Leadership Ministries, 3440 Sojourn Drive, Suite 200, Carrollton, TX 75006-2354. Telephone: (214) 713-7130.
© Copyright 1996, Campus Crusade for Christ.
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