Bible Tips for Bible Study

Maybe you’re launching a Bible study effort for the first time or you’re needing to recharge your Bible study efforts. Or maybe you’re somewhere in between. The tips below will give you some theological framework for your efforts. Culled from key points in Scripture, these tips represent what you might call Bible tips for Bible study. So, that’s what we’ll call it, “Bible Tips for Bible Study.”

You can also download a one-page PDF version here.

Count on God to initiate
Since God draws people to Himself (John 6:44-45), a key role in launching a Bible study is to pray for God’s Spirit to move on the hearts of your students. Through personal contact and voluntary sign-up, you will be aware of the people God is leading your way.

Make it completely voluntary
Schedule the study so that students can choose to be a part of it—a Sunday school elective, after school, before or after your weekly gathering, a separate night of the week. Stress that students are to attend out of their own desire, not coercion from friends or family. Be sure to communicate this to parents.

Communicate a challenging atmosphere
Remind students that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)—key word, diligently.

Offer a unique location
A home is a great setting, but if you must meet at your church, try a setting out of the normal youth routine such as an office, a library, a chapel, or a pastor’s study (limit the food factor here). Allow students to be comfortable (floor seating could be an option). It’s important that it be a place where God’s presence can be experienced (Psalm 73).

Start with intentional prayer
Ask for people to “wrestle in prayer” on behalf of your students so that they will become spiritually mature and firm in the will of God (Colossians 4:12). Pray that God may give your students the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may know Him better (Ephesians 1:17). Prayer is the primary tool for cultivating good soil capable of producing a crop. Give the names of your students to the prayer warriors in your life. Click here for more help in mobilizing a prayer effort.

Beware of the enemy
Our crafty adversary will be on the prowl (1 Peter 5:8) and much deception will be employed. Don’t let fatigue, busyness or other distractions knock you off track.

Allow God to prepare you
God works through gifted leaders (Ephesians 4:11-12). There is no substitute for a teacher or leader who has allowed God to equip him or her (Hebrews 13:20-21) through earnest preparation.

Understand the “Great Commission”
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). We cannot make disciples nor teach them to obey without an effective ministry of the Word of God.