How To Lead A Home Bible Study
By Jack Wright Jr.

	The Bible is the word of God. Through the Bible, we can understand the will of God, absorb spiritual food, and grow in spirit. Therefore, it is important to read the Bible and study it. Attending a group Bible study can improve our personal Bible reading through the encouragement, thoughts, and discussion of the participants.

	For a group Bible study to be effective, it must be Christ-centered and nurtured through prayer. Furthermore, because the leaders of the Bible study can determine its success or failure, they must rely upon the guidance and encouragement from the Holy Spirit.

Preparation before the Bible Study

	Prayer is the most important tool for a leader. A leader's thorough preparation should come naturally after praying for the Bible study. During the week preceding your scheduled session, study the passage that you have been assigned:

•	Note key words and phrases. Pick out the main points of the passage.
•	Do some research into the culture and historical background to understand the context of the passage and book. If certain verses are difficult to understand, look into the original language to determine the meaning. The Bible was written thousands of years ago, so we must relate it to modern life.
•	Think about the passage's application to daily life. What can we do to live out its teachings?
•	Keep all of the main points in mind (or written in your notes) so that you will be able to facilitate discussion during the Bible study.

During the Bible Study

	Arrive early to set up the room and to pray before the others arrive. Keep track of the time. Ideally, the format of the Bible study should follow this schedule:

•	Hymn singing and prayer (10 minutes)
•	Read the passage out loud. The leader should explain the main points. (10 minutes)
•	Discussion (30 minutes)
•	Conclusion, hymn singing, and prayer (10 minutes)

	During the discussion portion, control the time and monitor the direction of the discussion so that it stays on topic. Encourage all the participants to share their thoughts and reflections. The conclusion should summarize the main points of the discussion and reiterate the teachings of the passage.

Other Reminders

	When the opinions of members are not in accordance with the Bible, refer to the Bible for correction. Interpret the Bible with the words of the Bible. Do not interpret the Bible according to personal opinion. Speak with humility and kindness. Do not speak to rebuke others. With prayer and practice, leading a group Bible study will be a fruitful and edifying experience.

This article may not be written by an Apostolic author, but it contains many excellent principles and concepts that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying goes “Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.”

This article “How to Lead a Home Bible Study” by Jack Wright Jr. was excerpted from Manna magazine. Spring 2010. It may be used for study & research purposes only.