A six point discussion on how to set up a successful small group Bible study.
A cornerstone of the Christian faith is the regular study of the Bible. If you talk with many Christians, however, it soon becomes apparent that this is the one area where Christians most decidedly fall short in developing habits of faith. Most Christians will acknowledge some religious affiliation, many still attend a weekly worship service, and more than a few will admit to offering a prayer or two, at least in times of difficulty. Creating a successful Bible study does take some planning, and by following the steps offered here, you can enjoy a time of growth and fellowship while studying God's word.
There are six "essentials" to focus on when planning your Bible study. They are:
1. Pick a specific theme or person to study. The Bible is full of fascinating people""even, and especially, in the Old Testament! It should go without saying that the Bible addresses all that is important for our Christian walk. By selecting one of these people, or a specific theme, say, how a Christian should relate to and use money, you can address a need or fill a spiritual gap for yourself and the others in your Bible study group.
2. Encourage the use of a variety of Bibles. It seems that every time we walk into the bookstore, there is a new Bible version to browse. While the actual number of Bible versions is fairly stable (KJV, NIV, NKJV, RSV, NASB), there are many Bibles that use one of these common interpretations while adding a set of unique study notes. While you may have a favorite type of Bible, try to keep an open mind as others share their experience, and Bibles with you. The purpose of a Bible study should be to explore as fully as possible whatever particular area you choose to study; this means that allowing a variety of opinions may very well be to your advantage. It's amazing what insights God will offer when you approach His word with an open mind and heart.
3. Personally invite those people with whom you'd like to study the Bible. Whenever you start a small group as part of a ministry, extending a personal invitation to the people with whom you'd like to study is always more effective than a general invitation. Time and again, I have seen people stand up after a worship service and say "Don't forget we have a Bible study on Tuesday night!" only to have little or no long term response to the offer. If you invite a specific group of people, letting them know that they have something special to offer your Bible study means a great deal. By extending to them this sense of ownership, you will also glean the best of their time and effort as partners in the study of God's word.
4. Have a set time to study, both by yourself and together with your group. The power of studying the Bible together rests in the accountability you can offer one another. Having a specific time set aside, both for your personal Bible study and your group's Bible study will allow you to focus on the Lord in that time, and will give you a commitment which you can't easily break. Encourage your group's members to hold each other accountable to be present and on time; once everyone agrees on the time frame for your study, start and end promptly so that everyone can plan around that time most easily.
5. Follow a study plan and have a set calendar for your study. People generally have the most difficulty signing on for open-ended or exceptionally long Bible studies. As mentioned earlier, the Bible is ready-made for sub-division and theme studies. Studying the life of David, or justice in the Bible, or the four gospels, or the Minor Prophets are all manageable topics that can have defined beginnings and endings. Be sure that your group knows that a given study will take three months to complete, meeting once a week, say Tuesday nights at seven. Don't be afraid to hold members of the group to their commitments; the study of God's word is important enough to expect the attention you and your group can give it. If a member agrees to the schedule, then fails to show two or three times in a row, be sure they know you are carrying on without them; if they rejoin you, great! If they can't rejoin you, keep trying different days and times with future studies to appeal to those people you'd like to study with but who couldn't commit to a particular study.
Remember rule #1: the study continues no matter what! Even if a member or two are missing, keep studying. As soon as you start missing dates, or "rescheduling" them, you'll find yourself putting off more studies then you'll actually hold.
6. Pray! This, of course, should occur at the beginning, during, and at the end of your study. Asking God's guidance in helping you to select the topic, the people and the timing for your study will enrich your study of His word. The blessings of God await you as you gather your friends for the study of His word.
