Because each SBA selection is delivered to your door with reading questions and topics for further thought, it is the perfect forum for both individual thought and group discussion. Even if individual reading and reflection is rewarding, imagine what sharing your thoughts with your spiritual peers could be like. But starting a reading group isn't just about a mutual interest; it is also about a willingness to devote time and energy to making a reading group work. Consider the follow suggestions to start and maintain your own SBA Readers Group.

1. Ask both your friends and your fellow parishioners to be members of your Readers Group. Having a diverse group will lead to different understandings of the text while also allowing friendships to develop across the board.

2. With other founding members, determine a time and place to meet. Since SBA books are usually delivered within the first week of the month consider having three meetings--one meeting a week for the three weeks following the arrival of the book. Decide how the book will be divided and contact each member with which pages should be read for the first meeting of the month. Or, meet the last week of the month to discuss the book in its entirety.

3. Whether you are meeting at a home or in a public area, take turns providing refreshments such as coffee, tea, soda, crackers, and cookies. Spend half an hour socializing and enjoying the refreshments and then organize into a group for discussion.

4. If your group initially meets at the members' houses but grows beyond the limits of a home setting consider having it in a common area at your church, school, or library, and welcome even more people to your group. The more people involved the more interpretations and ideas will come to light.

5. In large group settings, devote a period of time for large group discussion of the overall themes, feelings, and questions about the texts. Then break into small groups to have more in-depth discussions. Close to the end of the session reconvene as a large group and discuss some of the topics shared in the small groups.

6. Before the meetings, check out the SBA website, www.spiritualbookassoc.com, to find more information about the author, reviews, and endorsements. Also, take the time to find more information on some themes or aspects of the book that might be helpful for the group. For example, if the book is based on Ignatian concepts, finding more information about St. Ignatius and Ignatian spirituality may clarify any concepts that are unclear and will also deepen the groups understanding of the author's intent. This can also be a task shared by the members. Divide the group and assign each member a month when they will need to bring more information about the book.

7. While discussion is best when people contribute willingly and freely, there will be times when people are afraid to speak. In those moments, it is best to have back up questions. In fact, requiring members to think of two or three discussion questions while they read and then share them with the group might be a great way of beginning and maintaining active group discussion. Remember: everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions and ideas about the text. There will be times when people have differing opinions. Make sure they are all heard!

8. Be strict about talking only about the text. Do not allow your group or groups to lapse into social discussions or gossip. One way to do this is to suggest that people who do not know each other group together and then allow them a few minutes of introduction. After they have spent enough time sharing information about themselves give the groups one specific question to shift the conversation to the book.

9. Avoid questions such as "Did you like the book," that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Ask questions that require people to think and explain. Also ask questions that draw from answers that people have already offered. Discuss narrative techniques such as the language, tone, the way the concepts are introduced, and how new information is presented.

10. Because there are only eight SBA selections each year, decide with your group what you will do for the other four months. One possibility is to read and discuss the two gift books you receive when you sign up in SBA and then take the other two months off. Or, you could choose two other books from Ave Maria Press, Sorin Books, or Forest of Peace.

11. The SBA Readers Groups are meant to strengthen spiritual understanding, but they also help you develop new friendships, and hear new ideas about God and spirituality. Enjoy socially sharing your spiritual thoughts!