five BIG ideas to start a Bible study group

LIE: “I wasn’t made to be a leader.”

TRUTH: We are all called to disciple each other and grow in the Spirit. Our weaknesses just emphasize God’s strength.

Here’s a list of my best tips and thoughts on creating a Bible study group from my own personal experience the last two semesters of college.

people

• Text the first seven people that come to mind. “Hey, Jana! I’d love to get together with friends next semester for a Bible study. Would you be interested? [Insert important info] Let me know if you have any questions!”
• (Grab your sister, too; look, you already have one member)
• You’ll want to invite girls who you know are spiritually minded and will really add to the group and participate, but also the girls who need to be discipled.

time

• Ask when would be the best times for a Bible study next semester.
• (Lunch every Tuesday worked well for my group.)
• One group I know met about every month on a Saturday. That might be better if you’re going through a Christian book.
• FREQUENCY: Is weekly a viable option? Or would monthly be better?
• LENGTH PER MEETING: how long your studies will be. Ours ranged anywhere from ten to twenty minutes. Depended on how long discussion went or how tired we were.
• LENGTH PER STUDY: Make a tentative plan for how long the studies will be; will you have a different topic every month? Two months? Or maybe do a semester-long study on one topic?

topics

• Choose a topic.
• Don’t be scared; take the lead.
• It’s okay to ask for suggestions.
• You can have a book to go through, but you don’t have to.
• What do you want to know more about?

talking

• Be the first to get vulnerable.
• If no one else is answering the question/giving feedback, it’s okay to talk to fill in the space. Per instructions above, give of yourself. Say what’s on your mind, be honest. Once they know it’s okay to share, someone will start the conversation.

more help

• Choose a book of the Bible to read through. Read it three nights before each study group and make up a list of questions to ask the girls, whether they’re factual or spiritual/personal. Type it up in Word and email it to group members the night before.
• Grab a free study guide at websites like She Reads Truth.
• Pray before you start every study. I forgot to last semester . . . kinda ashamed.
• It’s okay to ask other members to “be in charge” for different groups to get the pressure off yourself.
• This study guide from Jordan Lee Dooley is immensely helpful! (Not sure if the link works anymore)
• DON’T EVER “CANCEL” IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. It’ll be tempting, especially as school goes on, to cancel Bible study in exchange for more study time or a nap. Don’t!

Have you ever been a part of a Bible study group? What topics did you cover? Do you feel like a leader?