Best Tips and Practices for Bible Study
Best Tips and Practices for Bible Study
I met one of my soul sisters in a closet. That’s right. A real closet in an elementary school we both taught at almost ten years ago. We call ourselves the “soul sisters.” I know. Not super original and very cheesy – but you see, my group of girls are all both super normal and super cheesy. We love each other. It all started over six years ago. I was feeling very alone in my motherhood. I had two boys and was overwhelmed.
My church has always had a Bible study for women hosted at the church, but the time and date never seemed to work with my husband’s schedule. So I rarely got to go. On a whim, I decided to start my own Bible study. I pulled an old study I had done on my own back in college (one I loved) and messaged a few friends on Facebook. One of those friends was an old colleague I had worked with for two years. We were both reading interventionists and we shared a common bond over K-Love music, Jesus, and the small closet as our office. Yes. It was a literal closet. We had a super small space off of the library to bring our kids to for reading (and sometimes math) intervention. Anyone else and I would have gone insane those two years of teaching in the public school.
After Rebecca started attending the Bible study, she was so excited she invited a friend. The next year they invited another of their friends. Finally, a fourth friend joined. Today we have five people who attend my Bible study faithfully. Every single season (spring, summer, and winter) we meet together. Nothing special, other than our sweet bond. As I lead and hosted my Bible study in my home, I’ve learned quite a few things. However, I knew I needed to know more to share with you the “BEST” tips and practices for having an in-home Bible study.
Most important: have snacks. I highly recommend providing snacks! You don’t have to do it every week. I usually have each person rotate so someone new brings it and I only end up having to provide it once or twice during a study.
Next I asked a few of my amazing writer friends in the Hope*Writer’s group to share their best tips and practices for Bible study. WOW. It was golden information and I can’t wait to share it with you! Let me leave you with the top three things:
1. PRAY. PRAY. PRAY. That’s right. Every single person said “pray.” Pray for the ladies in your study. Pray for yourself. Pray for the enemy to be silenced.
2. Do your homework before the day before. Study throughout the week(s) and do all of the homework. You don’t have to have all of the answers, but know the study as best you can.
3. Be transparent. It takes time to build bonds, but you can go first. Be honest with your life and open up. It will help others do the same in your group. One woman said: “Be a friend. Not a leader.” Amen!
Are you ready to have an in-home Bible study? Over the course of this month I have written, organized, and designed a beautiful resource you can use to begin (and keep going!). Download your FREE workbook here! It includes several pages of information! “How to Start a Bible Study In Your Home” contains all of the tips and practices, plus how to host and lead your own Bible study.
This workbook is perfect if you….
1. Want to connect with women in your church.
2. Learn more about the Bible.
3. Create an accountability group.
4. Grow your knowledge of God.
5. Need help getting started with group Bible studies.
Let me know if you have any questions! Email me and I’d love to chat. 🙂
For the Best Tips and Practices for Bible Study download a workbook here!
