[ Home ] [ Background on the Bible ] [ Effective Bible study ] [ Bible studies ] [ Searching this site ] [ Keeping in touch ]

Effective Bible study:  [ Next ]  

In order to have a successful Bible study you must have some structure.   The study should  be informative, instructive, inspiring and present useful knowledge.

The first topics to focus on should be the kingdom of God.  What is the kingdom of God?   Where is it?  How is it entered?  Other topics to cover after are repentance and how to repent, the Will of God, answered prayer, living a godly Way of life, the Way of righteousness, etc.  Next, baptism should be discussed in detail.

One successful format for a Bible study would be:
1.  Two or three Bible-related songs
2.  Announcements
3.  News items and answered prayers. 
4.  Two short (five-minute) talks on what the speakers have learned from personal Bible study or personal encounters with others during the week.   
5.  Begin presentation of Bible study topic with prayer. 
6.  Presentation of Bible study topic.  A related Bible study article should be distributed, to reinforce the material that was presented.  Those at the Bible study are unlearning the traditions of men and proving all things, not just some things.   The whole object of a Bible study is to find out what the Bible says on various subjects as opposed to what man teaches in the form of traditions. 
7. Close presentation with prayer.
8. Ten-minute discussion on presentation.
9. Serve light, healthful refreshments just before everyone departs.  If the Bible study is a lunch, it should be pot luck unless otherwise specified.

Other ideas

- The ladies could have their own night for Bible study and discussion.  

- Host picnics and dinners to which you could invite friends who don't belong to the Bible study.  They may want to participate in the Bible study because of the fun they had at one of these get-togethers.

- Let your lights shine!  Don't be clannish, cliquish or play favorites.  Practice loving the unlovable because many are being called in that condition.

- Entertain and learn the principle of being the servant of the most.  Invite for the elderly and widows or have a special dinner in their honor.

- Plan an event just for teenagers with chaperones:
  1. Serve snacks and beverages for the first 30 minutes.
  2. Next, spend 10 minutes singing happy joyful songs about living for God. 
  3. Then share announcements and spiritual insights for 20 minutes.
  4. Have a Bible study for about 35 minutes.  Don't forget to open with prayer.
  5. In closing, sing one song, then break for lunch.

- Set aside a night to watch Bible-related videos, listen to audio tapes or study researched Bible              studies.  The study should be given by one person, and at the end of the Bible study, give each person attending a copy of the printed study.

These are just a few suggestions to follow in leading a group of people who are sharing together in their overcoming process.  Be a good example always.   And remember always to pray for the people God is sending to you.  They are all precious in His sight.

Effective Bible study:  [ Next ]