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for study, and to attend to thesocial and spiritual needs of theindividuals in the group. Amongthe most important elements of asuccessful group, these stand out:Over nearly six decades, it hasbecome clear that study groupmembers experience manybenefits unique to the groupsetting:The commitment of one or morefounders to the success of thegroup enhanced intellectualknowledge of the text throughshared interpretationsConsistency in meeting times andplaces, and a suitable environmentfor study exponential expansion ofmeanings; two persons candiscover far more than onealone1. A critical mass of readers(usually 3 to 10) and willingnessto screen new members2. A method of study and atechnique of self-governancethat suits the group3. Skillful, gentle, purposeful, andeffective facilitation4. The spiritual growth thatresults from deep study, sinceresharing, and group prayer5. The love that naturally arisesfrom association with fellowUrantia Book studentsWhy Start a Study Group?You have probably heard thatthe early leaders of the Urantiamovement were instructed toform thousands of study groupsworldwide. The revelators madethis suggestion, we believe,because they understood thata group study environment hasmany advantages over isolated,individualized study.Of course, nearly everyonediscovers the revelation as anindividual, and first begins tostudy on their own. But aftera time, most seek a deeperrelationship with the meaningsand values of the text that onlycan be found by sharing its studywith others. social bonding, truefellowshipping, and enduringfriendships a broadening of perspective—growth in cosmic perception personal spiritual growththrough personal sharing,group prayer, and communityworshipWhether you are a host or anattendee, study group offersnumerous benefits. Afterattending study group a fewtimes, most people find that theysincerely miss the experiencewhen they cannot attend. Groupstudy is not the only way to studythe teachings—but it does seemto be the best way.Private study of a great revelationis intrinsically rewarding, but thisworld needs many more studygroups and the benefits theyconfer on humanity. And so, if youtruly desire to host a group, beginwhere you are—but begin today!The Spiritual Dimensionof Group StudyPersonality association and mutualaffection is an efficient insuranceagainst evil . . . There is positivestrength in the knowledge that youlive for the welfare of others, andthat these others likewise live foryour welfare and advancement.Man languishes in isolation. [Paper160:2, p. 1776:3]Individuals who have studiedalone for many years often reportto us a curious thing: They feellike they are reading an expandedversion of the same book whenthey begin to read with others.Group consideration of the textilluminate meanings and conceptsbecause the group setting offersthe richness of multiple pointsof view. The result is a balancingand correcting influence on theformation of individual opinions—not to mention the emotionaland spiritual reinforcing effect ofgroup participation.We are clearly told in therevelation that we find God andgrow spiritually not only by meansof what the Father teaches usdirectly, but also through closeassociation with our fellows.Rodan of Alexandria spoke atlength about the benefits ofgroup association when he said:Many noble human impulses diebecause there is no one to heartheir expression. Truly, it is not goodfor man to be alone. [Paper 160:2, p.1775:7] Rodan added that, throughassociation, men enrich theirsouls by pooling their respectivespiritual possessions, avoidingthe ever-present tendency tofall victim to distortion of vision,prejudice of viewpoint, andnarrowness of judgment.The Urantia Book tells us of ourmembership in a vast cosmiccommunity, and group studyprovides us with a microcosm ofthis universal family of God.Study Group Guide Group Study of The Urantia Revelation5

Attending study group rechargesour spiritual batteries, upliftsour intellect, and inspiresus to serve and love others.Ultimately, participating in agroup studying the revelation willbring each individual a greaterunderstanding of God our Fatherand his ascension plan for all ofus.Study Groups and TruthDisseminationStudy groups are a vital part ofthe plan for disseminating theteachings of the Fifth EpochalRevelation around the world.A worldwide community ofthousands of study groups wouldcertainly change the world. That’swhy one of the goals of everyprogressive study group should beto create more groups.6Study groups also provideopportunities for the futureteachers and leaders of thisrevelation to develop theirskills in an open and forgivingatmosphere. It allows usto experiment in a friendlyenvironment with creative andsometimes highly personalinterpretations.Study groups help us explore ourbeliefs through association withlike-minded individuals who areStudy Group Guide Group Study of The Urantia Revelationaccepting of us. This is a powerfulconfidence builder for every kindof truth disseminator, from thosewho are trying to inject freshideas into everyday conversations,to those who aspire to becomeapostles to the planet of the FifthEpochal Revelation.

II. HOW TO START A STUDY GROUPMaking The Decision toHost a Study GroupIt takes great personaldetermination to host a studygroup; real success requires anongoing commitment of timeand effort. True, convening ameeting may consume only acouple of hours of your time.But you must make a continuingpersonal commitment to“holding the space” for those fewhours, and you must do so evenwhen the attendance is small—and especially during timeswhere there can be minor or evenmajor problems in the groupprocess. If the group is to survive,your dedication over months andeven years is essential.We know from long observationthat some study groups flounderwhile others thrive. Experienceseems to prove that successfulgroups are those that have ahost (or a few co-hosts) whoprovide the consistency of regularmeetings backed by patience,understanding, love, and genuineeffort.If you are considering hostinga study group, we suggest youconsult this beginning checklistjust below. Note that a moreextensive checklist is provided inAddendum A.participate in the meetings?If not, are they willing totolerate the presence of thegroup without disruptionor experience feelings ofinconvenience or neglect?1. Are you willing to make studygroup a priority in your life forthe coming months and years?Hopefully your family will besupportive of your efforts. Ifnot, then it is best to host thegroup outside of your home orteam with another motivatedperson who can fulfill the roleof host. (The topic of the studyenvironment is addressed inSection III.) And even if you don’tactually host the group anddirectly manage its logistics, bearin mind that the role of facilitatorof study also affords you a chanceto serve. Note that numerous tipsfor facilitators can be found laterin this guide.2. Do you have the dedicationrequired to nurture a newsocial entity that will includepeople you don’t know?3. Are you willing to devote oneevening per week to conveningyour group?4. Are you in a position tofacilitate the meeting or todelegate that duty to someoneelse who has the required skillsand commitment?5. Are you able to be flexible withthe unfolding of the groupprocess, eventually allowingthe study group to develop itsown self-governance?6. If you have a family and if thegroup is to meet in your home,will your family membersAs founder of your group,everyone will look to you as theirleader. This means, for example,that if the group gets stuck on adecision, you should at first offeralternatives or simply make thatdecision. Later, after some form ofgroup governance gets underway,you can relax and let the group asStudy Group Guide How to Start a Study Group7

a whole manage its affairs.Finally, always remember topray for guidance and be opento receive spiritual assistance.We recommend that the firstthing you do after deciding tohost a group is to prayerfullygive your decision over to thespiritual influences in and aroundyou. Remember that we aresurrounded and indwelt by spirithelpers who will assist you if youare open to their guidance. Whenman goes in partnership with God,great things may, and do, happen.[Paper 132:7, p.1467:5]Finding Interested PeopleYour first task as a new host willbe to find potential members,screen them, and then bring allthe folks on your list together foran initial meeting to organizethe study group. Of all possiblemethods of recruitment, directpersonal contact usually provesbest for inviting people to joinyour group.Here is a summary of tried andtrue methods for recruitment:1. Invite your closest associatesYour family, personal friends,and acquaintances that areinterested in the book shouldbe invited. These people willnormally be the core of yourstudy group.2. Utilize databases of officialorganizationsUrantia Foundation, UAI,and other Urantia Bookorganizations maintaindatabases of readers whohave given permission forother readers to contact them.8(Please see Addendum B.)3. Experiment with localadvertisingSmall display advertisementsin local daily or weeklynewspapers, listings in locallyoriented websites, or flyers inlocal bookstores or spiritualcenters can draw additionalpeople.Here are more tips for findingpotential members of your group:“Truth in advertising”Always make sure prospects arefully aware of the revelationbefore inviting them to visit thegroup. You don’t want to have anew attendee—or the rest of thegroup—become uncomfortablebecause a new person has notreceived proper orientation.Keep the focus on therevelationAs we have stated, always make itclear to potential members thatyour group studies The UrantiaBook and only The Urantia Book.Safety firstAlways keep the safety of thegroup foremost in mind beforeadding new people. Be carefulnot to give out your residentialaddress until you are comfortablewith a person.Meet and screen prospectsScreen potential new membersthat you do not personally knowbefore they are invited to attenda study group session. Requestthat they first meet you in apublic place or at an informalgathering away from studyStudy Group Guide How to Start a Study Groupgroup. Be cordial, of course, butdo not hesitate to ask directquestions about their beliefs andideas about The Urantia Book.Remember that one importantrole of the host is to protect theintegrity of the group. You do notwant to assume the best andthen discover the worst after apoorly screened stranger startsattending your group. And, whileit is true that the teachings ofthe revelation are meant for allhumankind, it is unwise to addsomeone who is incompatiblewith the chemistry of your group.Watch for personal agendasMany folks have fervent personalagendas in regard to religion,spirituality, or politics. Most areindeed fine people with goodintentions; and yet, understandthat a desire to reach an“unenlightened” audience maylurk beneath a pleasant exterior. Inthe lore of the Urantia movementare many stories about how suchmembers have turned out to bedisruptive to a study group. Askilled facilitator may assist themin the practice of leaving their“issue” at the door, allowing themto be a contributing member tothe group.Convening Your MeetingOnce you have a list of potentialmembers, we suggest you inviteeveryone on your list to convenefor the purpose of creating alocal study group. Here are somerecommended steps:Pray for successConsider asking for heavenlysupport in this effort. Request

that students of the revelationbe guided to your new group andthat the organizational meeting iseffective.confirm all meeting arrangementsa day or two in advance so thatlast minute problems are lesslikely.person ample time to introducethemselves, and then open thefloor for ideas and input on whatwould appeal to everyone.Create and send your invitationRun a purposeful meetingClose after specificcommitments are madeFind a suitable space and seta time and date to meet, andsend out a postcard and/or emailcontaining details of the meetingplus your contact information.Confirm with everyoneAn email or a telephone callreminder a few days beforethe meeting reinforces theimportance of the event. Also,Arrive early so that you maygreet everyone. Start promptly.After introducing yourself, makesuggestions about where, when,and how often to meet. Offeryour recommendations for themethod of study. The meeting willgo better if you provide leadershipin the form of a basic plan; butbe sure to allow your plan to bemolded to fit the needs of themajority of the group. Allow eachA group decision depends uponmany contingencies, but makesure you come up with somedefinite arrangement. Beforefolks leave, make certain everyoneknows the time, date, place,and what will be studied at thefirst meeting. Follow up with areminder a few days before yourinaugural study meeting.Study Group Guide How to Start a Study Group9

III. HOSTING AND FACILITATINGElements of a SuccessfulStudy GroupHopefully, your new studygroup will turn out to be anenjoyable and edifying experiencefor everyone. To achieve this happyresult, we suggest that hosts seekfor a balance between socializingand study that is appropriate fortheir participants. In addition,it’s crucial that you provide thegroup with comfortable facilities,a reasonable schedule for themeetings, and a variety of learningstyles and activities.Let’s look a little more closelyat these and other essentials ofsuccess:Be committed and consistentAs we stated earlier, it takes thedependability and consistency ofone or a few stalwarts to maintaina group’s vitality. Without thiscommitted core it is especiallyhard to weather transitions suchas periods when the attendancefalls off or when difficulties arisefor any reason.Above all, cultivate a core group ofparticipants who are committedto meeting at a regular time andplace. One group in the state ofIndiana in the U.S. shows what can10happen: this study group has heldtheir meeting at the same placeand the same time every week for36 years—now that’s dedication!Especially for those who haven’tbeen able to attend for severalmonths, a reliable schedule andlocation is a must. These membersneed to count on not having toguess, calculate, or take the troubleto call you to verify the meetingtime and place.Some groups rotate amongthe homes of the members.Although this approach spreadsthe responsibility of hosting andallows for a growth experiences onthe part of these additional hosts,it also brings other problems.While rotating meetings mayseem to reduce the workload foryou as the anchor host, that isn’tnecessarily true; it can generatemore work and confusion formembers.Meet weeklyExperience shows that, if possible,meetings should be held eachweek; it is hard to maintainmomentum when meetingsoccur less often. Monthly meetingdates and complicated meetingschedules such as “the first andthird Tuesday of each month”Study Group Guide Hosting and Facilitatingcan be difficult to schedule orremember. And yet, while suchschedules may be more difficult tomaintain, they are certainly betterthan no study group at all.Be contactableMake sure everyone knows howto contact the host (or a co-host)and that this contact person iseasily reached. By the same token,ensure that the host or someonein the group knows how to quicklycommunicate with everyone incase of a last minute cancellation.Provide for an optimal studyenvironmentA comfortable and suitablemeeting place is another essential.Here are some useful tips: Most meetings are held in ahost’s home; but home meetingscan pose a few problems. Forexample, the comfort andconvenience of the host and ofa few people may be offset bythe lack of seating or adequatelighting, lack of parking orof street lighting, or by thepreference of some to not meetin such an intimate setting.That said, it is a truism thatholding meetings in a homemay provide greater warmth,

comfort, and friendliness. Face-to-face study can beoptimal; when participants cansee each other, this promotesdiscussion and interaction.Consider having your groupmeet around a dining table in ahome or a boardroom table ina public place, but be sure thatthe seating doesn’t become toocrowded. Meetings in public rooms inlibraries, community centers,or church facilities can be goodchoices, especially for moreserious study. Homes conferthe benefit of a more informaland friendly feeling, but publicfacilities may give participantsthe beneficial feeling of aclassroom atmosphere. Nearlyeveryone can accept meeting inpublic places, as such facilitiesare often more centrally locatedand feature good parking. Ashost, one big advantage for youin holding your group’s studyoutside your home is that thereis less danger of introducinga stranger into your home, aswell as less general disruptionfor your family. If you decideto work in a public place, besure to ask if there is any costinvolved, what rules may apply,and how often you may meet.Find out if refreshments areallowed in the room. Also, askwhether there may be othermeetings nearby that maydisturb the worshipful periodsof your meeting.Introduce varietyVarying your study methodoccasionally enhances learning.Remember that there are severalforms of learning: Some peoplelearn by reading aloud, someby listening, some throughSocial Elements of Group SuccessGroups are successful because the members enjoy each other’scompany. If no time is allowed for socializing, some may feelthe group is too rigid and boring. Yet, if too much time is spentsocializing, some will feel their time is wasted. To provide forappropriate social time, many groups meet for a meal before ameeting or hold a potluck dinner once a month. Socialization is goodfor the soul, and frequent interaction improves group camaraderie.Further, group life and community building can be a key feature ofthe emotional, educational, and spiritual growth of readers overtime. But remember to keep social time and study time largelyseparateBalance social time and studyBut strive for balance: If the host doesn’t provide for a little socialinteraction even during the meeting, people may get bored; but ifthe facilitator doesn’t steer the meeting away from tangents andexcessive social communication, members may see little value inattending. The study group host needs to develop a feel for whatthe group wants duri

maintaining study groups of The Urantia Book. If you are so inspired, we request that a contribution be made to UAI in exchange for the use of this material. Contributions may be sent to: Urantia Association International Rick Lyon, UAI Executive Administrator, Email: uaicentraloffice@urantia