How to Create a Leader Answer Key for a Pursuit of God Study

Short answer: A leader answer key for a Pursuit of God study should not be a script that tells participants what to say. It should be a facilitator safeguard: identify the biblical truth being explored, define what a sound answer must include, note common misunderstandings, prepare follow-up questions, and leave room for participants to discover and articulate truth themselves.

Why a leader answer key is useful

Discussion questions can fail in two opposite directions.

Without preparation, a leader may accept any response because he does not know what the question is trying to uncover. With an overdeveloped answer key, the leader may turn every question into a lecture and train the group to wait for “the right answer.”

The goal is prepared facilitation rather than answer control.

Build five parts for each important question

1. The question’s purpose

Write one sentence: “This question is designed to help participants see…”

If you cannot state the purpose, the question may be too vague.

2. Biblical anchor

List the primary passage that governs the answer. Read it in context before the meeting. If Tozer’s language is stronger or more metaphorical than the biblical wording, note that distinction.

3. Essential answer boundary

Write two or three points that a sound answer should contain. Keep them brief.

For example, a question about surrender in Chapter 2 might require:

God is the giver and rightful Lord of every gift;
surrender concerns the heart, not only physical disposal of possessions;
obedience must be guided by Scripture rather than dramatic self-invented sacrifice.

4. Common misunderstanding

Predict one likely error. This prepares the leader to clarify without humiliating the participant.

5. Follow-up prompt

Prepare a question that moves from information to application: “Where does this truth become difficult in ordinary life?”

Use three levels of answer notes

Mark questions as:

Factual: there is a fairly definite answer in the text or passage.
Interpretive: several observations may contribute, but Scripture sets boundaries.
Reflective: the participant’s honest response matters, though it should still be tested by biblical truth.

This prevents leaders from treating personal reflection as if there is only one acceptable emotional response.

Example leader key

Question: What does Tozer mean by the “blessedness of possessing nothing”?
Purpose: Distinguish inward surrender from simplistic rejection of property.
Biblical anchor: Genesis 22; Matthew 6:19–21.
Essential points: God must be above His gifts; possessions can become inward masters; surrender is shown by obedience.
Common error: “Faithful Christians should own nothing.”
Follow-up: What gift would be hardest for you to place fully under God’s authority?

That is enough preparation. The leader does not need a three-page lecture.

Add a Scripture-check column

For every major claim, ask:

Is this explicitly stated in Scripture?
Is it a reasonable inference?
Is it Tozer’s metaphor or application?
Is it my own application?

This protects the group from accidentally elevating secondary material to biblical authority.

Prepare for silence without filling it immediately

A good answer key should increase the leader’s confidence enough that silence no longer feels threatening. Ask the question, wait, rephrase if needed, invite a quieter participant, and let the group work.

If the leader supplies the answer after three seconds, the answer key has become a lecture outline.

End with accountable application

For application questions, include a review line: “How will we revisit this next week?” The answer key can contain examples, but participants should choose their own specific faithful action.

Go deeper

The Our Kingdom Assignment study edition includes leader-oriented discussion material that can serve as a model while you create your own facilitator notes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GVJFFS1J