You are going to learn quite a bit about the Bible if you decide to lead a bible study. Consequently, you may be tempted to “do all the talking,” but resist this urge. Bible study groups are not lectures. The goal of a bible study group is to learn together and not to lecture. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for your bible study:

Questions to ask before leading a bible study

Leading a Bible study discussion can be a challenging and rewarding experience. The discussion can be anything from a long, quiet silence to topical whiplash. Most Bible study leaders stay away from leading true discussions. There are many ways to facilitate discussions: they can be declarative, open-ended, or directed. There are several key questions to ask before leading a bible study discussion. Here are some guidelines:

Preparation

Preparation for leading a bible study starts by preparing the questions to ask and answer. Depending on the nature of the bible study, the questions you ask can be very personal or very general. It’s best to focus on a limited number of questions and to choose the best ones for your group. The top three or five questions method can be useful for this. However, if you are unfamiliar with the bible, the top three questions will help you guide your discussion.

Questions to ask during a bible study

You can broaden your scope by asking thought-provoking questions during your bible study. Here are some questions that will help you understand the meaning of the bible better:

Managing talkative people in a bible study

One of the most difficult parts of leading a bible study is managing talkative people. Everyone has different levels of talking. Some members of a group are naturally talkative while others tend to be quiet. This can lead to a Bible study being dominated by talkers. Managing talkative people in a bible study requires that the leader encourage quiet members of the group to contribute their thoughts. For example, a group leader might ask a less talkative member to share their thoughts.

Choosing a bible study that is faithful to Scripture

Choosing a Bible for your personal Bible study is not the same as choosing any other book. Unlike other books, the Bible is written by God and your choice of Bible study materials will reflect your personal journey with the Lord. To make the process easier, you can choose a Bible with maps, cross-references, and short articles. These features will help you gain a deeper understanding of the Bible’s times and people.