Starting a Bible Study Group: A Beginner's Guide

Why Bible Study is important

Starting a Bible study group can feel both exciting and a bit daunting. Whether you are studying by yourself or with others you are on your way to walking closer with Jesus.

• To Spend Time with God. Jesus said that where two or more are gathered He is there also (Matthew 18:20).

• To know God & His Will. 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV says "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

• To increase our faith. Romans 10:17 ESV says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

How to Study the Bible

Next, you’ll want to decide how to study the Bible. There are myriad resources available to help guide your discussions, from study guides and commentaries to online videos.

• A Devotional

  Starting out with a devotional to help guide the group can be helpful. One of my favorite devotionals is Promises from God for Women. Scripture is assigned to areas where we can be struggling in. It helps put my mindset in the right space to focus on God and what is truly important.

• A Book of the Bible

  There are 66 books in the Bible and they all have quite the history behind them. Delving into a book and studying the time period/culture ect is well worth it. Logos is a Bible study partner and gives away free monthly e-books. It a great free way to get resources for your Bible Study.

• A Topic

  Maybe there is a topic you are really interested in knowing more about like fasting. I used A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer as a resource to teach me about fasting & prayer. Being a Christian my whole life I did not fast because I was not taught about it. In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus talks about when we fast not if we fast.

Tips/Best Practices

• Prayer First

  Leading anything we should first be submitted to Christ & truly let the Holy Spirit lead us. (James 4:7)

• Education Second

  Being educated about the topic at hand will help things run smoothly. As I said above Logos is a great place for free Bible study resources.

• Open Ended Questions

  Asking open ended questions and addressing all participants will keep the group involved and engaged.

Tools

• Logos

• Promises from God for Women

• A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer

• Christian Guidebook to Seeking

Adapt and Grow Together

Finally, remember that starting a Bible study group is a wonderful step in your walk with Christ. With these steps in mind, you’re well on your way to starting a Bible study group that enriches the lives of others and deepens their understanding & relationship with Jesus. Happy studying!