One of the things that can kill a small group and can prevent meaningful encounters with the Holy Spirit is the talk-aholic. There are two types I've found in most small groups: The Clap-trap, and the Arbiter

The Clap-trap is the one who has a long personal story to go with every point, comment and prayer request. They attend the small group for the social interaction. This is one of the four valid reasons to be there (eating, fellowship, teaching, prayer)! Unfortunately for the Clap-trap and those around them, they have difficulty sensing the value of the other reasons, or, the other people, for that matter. The Clap-trap needs help to understand there are other people who need to be heard from. If one person's comments and stories seem to dominate the first quarter of the group meeting, someone could politely say something like this, "You always have such interesting comments and insight, but I was wondering if there was anyone else who had some input they would like to offer."

The Arbiter can be more destructive to small group life and interaction, though the destruction is unintentional. They're just trying to help people have a fuller understanding of God. The Arbiter has an idea of the "correct" answer to every question or issue. If someone else's answer seems a little off, the Arbiter feels they have to correct them. If I'm not careful, I can become an Arbiter. It seems the more Bible study some people do, the more chance they have to become an Arbiter. Even if the Arbiter is accurate, people don't want to risk offering their perspective if someone is likely to find something wrong with it. I have a BA in Biblical studies and over 15 years ministry experience. I can't tell you how many times I thought someone was off track in their interpretation, only to discover by the end of the discussion that their take was so the Holy Spirit could teach me another valid way to look at it. The arbiter is so puffed up with his own knowledge he isn't open to a different slant...especially if it's through someone who isn't as learned as himself. Really, the only way to control an Arbiter is to start the first meeting and repeat during every meeting, "There are no wrong answers. The Holy Spirit can use everyone, so the insights of everyone are valid and important."