Let me encourage you to be willing to change the room or seating layout -- or even go to another place! -- if it helps people get engaged and learning.
Here are three creative options you can explore:
1. Auditorium-style seating arrangement
Many church rooms are set up in rows and ranks of rows. While this puts you at the center of attention, that can actually hinder interaction and dialogue.
If the group is smaller, don't let them spread out. If you can't move the seats around, then rope off all but one section so people are sitting closer together. (This also makes it easier for them to hear you, and for you to make eye contact with everyone.)
Switch the chairs around to make a smaller grouping of seats. In many cases, sitting in a circle promotes more conversation and back and forth. (Work proactively to make eye contact with everyone.) You don't have to have one circle, either -- try putting people into 2 circles, and ask them to work through different questions, then cross- share as a larger group.
If you're working with a younger group and it's not awkward, trying sitting on the floor for a while. Some conversations just go better like that!
2. Awkward placement of home furniture
The furniture layout in some home study situations puts people at odd angles. Joe and Shirley are sitting on the couch, at right angles to you, and kitty corner to Sandy in the rocking chair, and practically behind Mike and Sarah on the love seat. Everyone politely leans around to see, and half of you wind up with strained neck and shoulder muscles!
Be willing to pick up the couch or chairs and move them around. Reassure the host that you don't care about the dust bunnies and kids' toys that were under the couch :-). Pull the furniture closer together if necessary. Get everyone seated comfortably and fairly close together. This can really help with good dialogue.
3. Too-familiar meeting place
If you've been meeting in the same place for a long time, try something completely different. Go to a local restaurant. Go to someone's house. I know one group that went to a hotel lobby. Take a walk together and talk as you go. Jesus did that, right? Read the Bible passage together, and then take a walk together. If you have a small group, take a long car ride and stop at a picnic location.
You may find that getting into a different environment will breathe fresh life into your group study!
I hope these three examples give you some creative ideas.
If you're willing to shake up the seating arrangement, you'll find that people are often more receptive to the truth of what you've been teaching.
