By Abhilash Pulichanickal
DOES an average churchgoer needs to be part of a Bible study? Well, yes. Consider this scenario. You go once a week to your church. And, the church is over in 1 hour or two hours max. The worship, testimony and fellowship takes a chunk of the church time, the message is only for 20 mins or utmost 30 mins. And, the pastor does not follow through a book of the Bible, his sermons are mostly on the promises given to Israel in the Old Testament, the epistles and psalms. If this is your church, yes, you need to have a serious time of Bible Study.
Bible study helps deepen one’s understanding of the Scriptures and strengthens one’s personal faith and trust in God. It also helps foster a regular walk with God. Starting a Bible study in a small group can be a rewarding and spiritually enriching experience. Here are some steps to help you get started:
1. Prayer and Discernment
Pray for Guidance: Begin with prayer, asking God for wisdom and direction in starting and leading the group.
Discern Your Calling: Reflect on your motivation and ensure you feel called to lead a Bible study.
2. Determine the Group’s Focus and Structure
Identify the Purpose: Decide whether the focus will be on general Bible study, thematic studies (e.g., faith, love, justice), book studies (e.g., Gospel of John), or topical studies (e.g., prayer, discipleship).
Select a Format: Choose between an in-depth study, a discussion group, or a devotional approach.
3. Choose Study Materials
Select a Bible Version: Pick a translation that is accessible and appropriate for your group (e.g., NIV, ESV, NLT).
Study Guides and Commentaries: Consider using study guides, commentaries, or other resources to aid in understanding the text. Many churches or Christian bookstores can recommend materials.
4. Recruit Members
Invite Participants: Reach out to friends, family, church members, or coworkers who might be interested in joining.
Advertise: Use church bulletins, social media, or community boards to attract participants.
5. Set a Time and Place
Choose a Regular Meeting Time: Decide on a day and time that works for the majority of the group. Consistency is key.
Select a Location: Find a comfortable and quiet place to meet, such as a home, church room, or even a local coffee shop.
Be Open to Virtual Meetings: If your members are all over the place or busy it may not be possible for all to gather together in one place. In such a situation, consider virtual meetings over a social media platform.
6. Plan the First Meeting
Icebreakers: Start with introductions and an icebreaker activity to help everyone feel comfortable.
Set Expectations: Discuss the goals, format, and any ground rules for the study. Clarify how the meetings will be structured.
Opening Prayer: Begin with prayer to invite God’s presence and guidance.
7. Facilitate Discussions
Encourage Participation: Create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels free to share their thoughts and questions.
Stay on Topic: Gently guide the discussion to stay focused on the passage or topic.
Be Open to Questions: Allow for questions and be honest when you don’t know an answer, committing to find out more for the next meeting.
8. Summarize when you close meeting
Summary and Application: Remember most people in your Bible study group may not take notes. And, we forget more than 80 percent of what we have learned. So, summarize the key points discussed and talk about how they can be applied to daily life.
Closing Prayer: End with prayer, asking for God’s help in applying what was learned. You can ask a member of the group to pray.
9. Follow Up with your group members
Stay Connected: Keep in touch with group members through email or a messaging group to share prayer requests, encouragement, and reminders about upcoming meetings.
Be Flexible: In the fast-paced world of ours, you must be open to change. Welcome feedback and be willing to adjust the study format or schedule as needed.
10. Grow and nurture the group
Encourage Fellowship: Plan occasional social events or service projects to strengthen relationships among your group members.
Mentor Others: As the group grows, consider developing new leaders who can start their own Bible studies in different groups. To nurture and assess their growth, you can give them an opportunity to present a Bible study once in two months or so.
By following these steps, you can create a supportive and spiritually enriching environment for studying the Bible together.
