#Small group bible study how to

In a church or Christian organization where a number of Bible study groups have developed by division, it is vital to link all the groups together so as to maintain the unity of the wider body of believers. It then becomes difficult for all to participate. Is it not where two or three gather together? The real difficulty arises when the group breaks the 12 barrier. We believers often get hung-up on undersized groups, yet large numbers doesn't imply success. People need to wrestle with God's Word within their own life situation. With regard to the content studied, relevance is vital. Don't get hooked on gimmicks or some new 'solve all your problems' technique. The choice of a suitable method will depend upon the age of members and their social and Christian development. Use study methods suitable for the group, methods that will stimulate natural discussion. Please don't sit the group around a table in a cold church hall. Pick a neutral environment for the group to meet, eg. Be willing to encourage church members to join, but don't bend arms or play the 'holier than thou' game. They should be able to communicate, listen, learn, and be diplomatic.

#Small group bible study how to

know the info, or where and how to find it. They should be of reasonable intellect, ie. Obviously they must be a Christian with 'gifts' suitable to lead a Bible study group. They need to be committed to searching out and living out God's will together. There are two vital ingredients for a group to get off the ground.įirst, a core group of two or three Christians are required.

The members are bound to grow together in unity and oneness because they become one in the truth, a truth that sets us free. In fact, fellowship is a natural outcome from a group's study of God's Word. A well designed Bible study will enable us to learn and apply the rules of Biblical interpretation.įellowship is a particular consequence that flows out of group Bible study. To develop a method of Biblical interpretationīible study should be directed in such a way as to develop the technical skills necessary to rightly interpret the Word of God. In this way we will grow through the circumstances of life, rather than be blindly driven by them.ģ.

It is essential to know God's will so that when faced with new situations we will be able to apply his truths. The general accumulation of information is of itself an important task for future reference. To come to grips with the Bible's content So, the primary purpose of Bible study is to search out God's will so that the members of Christ's body, the church, might live it out in their daily lives.Ģ. What God commands can be done, what he promises will happen, if only we have faith, Math.14:22-33. Thus knowing God's will, we may pray with the sure knowledge that our prayer will be answered and act with the sure knowledge that our action is right, Matt.18:18-20. In the presence of Christ the church seeks the revealed will of God. the apostles (now the record of the New Testament), prophets and teachers, Eph.4:11-16. The method is as follows: The church assembles and seeks the will of God through the ministries of the word, ie. God's revealed method may be more complex, but it is his way. We are continually searching out 'God's will for us today', but how do we work out what his will is? Personal revelations (called 'leadings of the Spirit') and experience (called 'open and closed doors') are highly subjective. Part of the frustration is knowing how Jesus wants us to live for him. Jesus, of course, never said it would be easy. It is not an easy job living the Christian life. These notes seek to address the complexities of group Bible study, but at the same time, provide insights into personal Bible study.ġ. With a group it is a little more complex. Daily readings using Scripture Union notes or the Lectionary, or detailed study using a Bible Commentary, tend to be the preferred methods. Personal Bible study is a fairly simple matter. The aim of this paper is to give resource information on the setting up and running of a small-group Bible study.