Methodical Principles
ENCOURAGING BIBLE STUDY
Methodical Principles
ENCOURAGING BIBLE STUDY
“We would like to have Bible studies in our congregation. How can we promote them so that people will become interested in studying the Bible and find study a blessing? How can we encourage members to be willing to lead Bible studies?”
Stimulating Interest in Bible Study
Stimulating interest in Bible study is a problem facing the majority of churches and church leaders. Much stress is placed on the importance of getting people to read and study their Bibles. Many Bible study courses are being prepared. Organizations are encouraged to conduct Bible studies at their meetings. Churches are sponsoring special Bible study programs, all in the hope of stimulating interest; but with all this emphasis, interest in Bible study is still not as great as desired. Only small percentages of a congregation attend weekly Bible study. Obviously, organizational Bible studies have not proven too effective. Too few members have been willing to lead in the studies and the few who have been courageous enough to try have not known what to do.
Why so little interest?
People show little interest in Bible study for a number of reasons. They are too busy with other activities. Some feel that the Bible is too difficult while others are not spiritually minded enough to care much about Bible study. Many have found the studies too much like sermons and have never studied the Bible in a way that was interesting and challenging. They have never experienced the joy and satisfaction which can be theirs in Bible study. A few are afraid because they fear the power of the Word to change lives. Sometimes the impression is created that Bible study is only for a selected few.
What can be done?
In analyzing the reasons for the lack of interest in Bible study, we find two needs revealed in most churches today: the need for better teaching so that people will find Bible study interesting and challenging; the need for a deepening in their spiritual lives so that they will have greater hunger for the Word. People do not care for Bible study because they have not “tasted” that it can be satisfying. They lack in spiritual life because they do not feed on the Word for nourishment. Taste for Bible study must be developed. It increases as a person experiences the power of the Word working in the heart. There are some definite actions which can be taken if elders and church leaders want to increase interest in Bible study.
Ways to Promote Bible Study
Small Group Non-directed Home Bible Studies
This plan has been successful as a means of encouraging Bible studies among church members. The non-directed type usually begins with a few couples or neighbors who are interested in studying the Bible. They meet in the informal atmosphere of a home and study a prepared course with helps and questions. Sitting around the dining room table they work out the answers together. They may study the lesson previous to their meeting and then share findings at their group meeting. One of the members may serve as coordinator but they usually have no official leader. If the group becomes too large, they sometimes split and form new cottage Bible study groups; each couple becomes the nucleus for starting another group by inviting some different couples to their home.
Small Group Directed Home Bible Studies
This home plan can be church directed. The members of the congregation are divided into geographical sections and in each district a monthly or weekly meeting is held in the home of one of the members. Leaders are chosen for each meeting and provided with suggested Bible studies. The same leader may continue with the group for a definite period of time, or the leaders may be alternated. The group may study a prepared course or study a course outlined by one of the ministers or some member of the congregation. If leaders are inexperienced, it is best if they are coached for each Bible study.
Small Group Organized Bible Studies
In some congregations, this home plan is divided into several study groups, sometimes called “One Heart,” “Small Group Bible Study,” etc. For a period of a year, each group has a permanent leader who conducts Bible studies at the monthly meetings. Several weeks before each home meeting, the group leaders meet together and coached on the way to conduct the Bible study for the next meeting. The coach may be an elder, deacon, one of the ministers or some other person with training in Bible teaching. The groups study the same Bible portion. Sometimes the coach prepares study sheets containing a series of questions to serve as a basis for discussion. In some congregations these are given out in advance so that the members can prepare for their meeting. It has been found that coaching those who are to conduct Bible studies is a valuable procedure because the leaders have more confidence, thus producing better teaching.
Co-leadership in Small Group Study
Some church groups have found that having co‑leaders and rotating the leadership within their own group has proven satisfactory. A program committee plans the series of Bible studies for the year. It selects a “planning committee” of three or four for each Bible study, or perhaps a “planning chairman” who might personally choose members. There are as many “planning committees” as there are Bible studies. Each committee is responsible for only one study. In preparing for the Bible study, the “planning committee” follows a definite method of procedure. We list them below as steps:
Step 1: The members of the “planning committee” begin to work on their Bible study at least two months in advance. Before their first committee meeting, each member individually works on the Bible study. Each works out a series of questions to use as a basis for their presentation.
Step 2: At the first committee meeting, they share their findings and study questions. Together they work out a sheet of study questions for members of their group. They have this study sheet duplicated. Several meetings may be required to complete this step.
Step 3: The study questions will be submitted to members of the group several weeks prior to the Bible study itself. In this way the members can come to the study somewhat prepared for the lesson. Through experience it has been found that the study questions should be simple and not contain too many references.
Step 4: The “planning committee” usually meets again before their own Bible study to decide how to conduct their study and what procedure to use.
Step 5: The presentation of the Bible study may be conducted in several different ways: (a) The chairman of the “planning committee” can lead the study using the questions as a basis for discussion. Some questions might be used in a general discussion or perhaps in “buzz sessions,” i.e., members discussing questions with their nearest neighbor, after which they share ideas with the entire group. Usually people are more willing to share opinions with a large group if first they discuss them in a small group. (b) Another way to present the Bible study is to have the chairman first give a general introduction to the portion to be studied. Then the members divide into smaller groups for continued study and discussion. The other members of the committee will lead the smaller groups. After a period of discussion, they re‑assemble and share their insights and problems with each other.
Supervised Study
A type of Bible study that is good for youth Bible camps might be described as supervised study. The entire group first meets with a Bible leader who gives a background for the topic to be studied. Then each person is given a sheet of study questions to serve as guide. The group separates and each finds a private place to study. Following a period of meditation and study, the group reassembles to share observations and insights. This is an excellent method for use at a camp where there is time for several hours of study and discussion. It can be conducted in a modified form at youth meetings.
“Västerås” Method of Bible Study
The Västerås Method of Bible study is a simple, informal approach which has effectively been used with youth groups. Its emphasis is also on group study and sharing. The following procedure is suggested:
1. A portion of Scripture is selected for the group to study. For best results, it should not be too long, preferably about five to ten verses. Each person studies silently for about ten minutes.
2. During the study period, each person should record his reaction to the statements in the verses by making symbols in the margin of his Bible:
3. After a period of silent study the leader asks members of the group to share their reasons for the symbols they made. Neither the leader nor any individual should dominate the sharing. Even where there is a question, the leader could quickly and easily answer, he should first let the group try to clarify the question.
Although the leader should be careful not to dominate the discussion, still it is true that the better prepared the leader, the more successful the procedure. If the method is to be used with a large group and several leaders, it is well to have leaders meet together first and go through the procedure. Through study and sharing, they learn how to lead the discussion and how to face the problems which may arise.
Fellowship Discussions
Fellowship discussion is another type of n informal meeting that could be successfully used with youth groups. The subject for discussion usually centers on the Bible and Christian problems. The topics are often determined by the group needs, such as, “How can a person know if he is saved?” “What is Christian assurance?” etc. The leader works out a series of questions on the topic for discussion. Listed with each question are some related Bible references. The questions and verses are given to some of the group members before the meeting so that they will have a few moments to think about their answers. The leader conducts the meeting in an informal manner, having various ones read their questions, discussing related Bible verses, and sharing personal opinions and experiences. Others are encouraged to contribute their ideas as each question is discussed.
