Bible Study Leader: Teacher or Facilitator?

Is a bible study leader a teacher, a facilitator?    

It’s a discussion I have in every bible study leaders course, and we come up with diverse answers. It depends on what experience you have had in bible study groups. Sitting in the group while one person (not always the leader!!) dominates the discussion with their expert knowledge is rather painful. Answering a barrage of boring questions with simple correct answers is almost as bad. Let’s do better! 

I think a lot depends on the relative maturity and knowledge of the leader and the group. I like the image of a tour guide. The guide lays down the route, starts and stops the walking, but is happy to go where the group wants to go within that. The guide fills in the blanks and can answer questions, but is basically helping people discover what is actually there. The level of direction of the tour guide depends on their experience and knowledge. On a self guided walking tour with a group of friends someone still gets out the map and plans the tour – but no one is an expert. So the leader is just setting the pace and taking the initiative.

So what kind of group are you in? Are you a relatively expert tour guide? or just the guy with the map!