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By IFL Staff

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You want to lead a Bible study, but you’re not sure where to start. Maybe you’ve never led a group before. Maybe you’ve led groups for years but want a fresh approach rooted in a solid Bible-study method. Either way, Insight for Living’s Searching the Scriptures Bible studies can help you.

These studies are designed to foster a closer walk with Jesus through studying His Word. Pastor Chuck Swindoll follows this method to feed his own soul. He lays open his Bible and carefully observes a passage. Then, he seeks to understand the meaning, noting eternal truths that emerge from the text. He correlates these truths with other Scriptures, and then he puts it all together in principles that he can apply. Out of Pastor Chuck’s Bible study kitchen comes the spiritual meals he offers his congregation through his sermons.

Sermons, though, aren’t the only way to serve up what you’ve gleaned in God’s Word. With a little preparation, you can use our Searching the Scriptures Bible studies to lead a small group or to teach a class. We put together this article to show you how. First, though, let’s get started by looking at the big picture of ministering in Bible-study groups.

The Big Picture

The Value of Group Bible Study

Christians have been studying Scripture together since the beginning of the church. The Bereans pursued the truth as they “searched the Scriptures day after day” (Acts 17:11). They carefully read God’s Word, discussed the verses’ meaning, compared Paul’s teaching with what they discovered . . . and the results? “Many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men” (17:12).

They weren’t monks in private chambers. They came together. They asked questions, compared verses, traced biblical themes, analyzed words, and shared personal insights. They stoked the fire in their hearts until their faith emerged as solid steel.

The Goal of Group Bible Study

To mature as Christians, we need support and encouragement from others. Faith grows stronger in relationships. “As iron sharpens iron,” says Proverbs, “so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17). The reason we gather in groups is to sharpen one another’s faith. Specifically, the writer of Hebrews urges us to “motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

The test of our maturity is not how many Bible facts we remember. Rather, it’s how we love. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35). Loving like Christ loves is the mark that shows we’re His followers.

As you lead or teach, always keep in mind the goal: to help people apply the principles of Scripture as they follow Christ, doing His acts of love and good works in the world.

The Spirit of Group Bible Study

We can only accomplish this goal through the power of the Holy Spirit. Rely on Him for every aspect of your group experience. He will “guide you into all truth” through His ministry of illumination (John 16:13). He will empower the group members’ prayers. He will produce the fruit we hope to bear: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). And He will change hearts through His “sanctifying work” (1 Peter 1:2 NASB).

Why do people carve out time in their busy schedules to meet together?

They long to know God more intimately through His Word and to be transformed. They long to experience loving community. And they long to grow more like Christ and experience His presence.

With this in mind, what are the nuts and bolts of leading or teaching a group?

How to Use the Searching the Scriptures Bible Studies in Groups

Personal Preparation

Start by spending time in the Word personally, just like Pastor Chuck does. You can’t feed others if you’re hungry, so follow the steps in the Searching the Scriptures Bible studies to nourish your own soul.

If you’re new to the Searching the Scriptures method of Bible study, the online article “How Does Pastor Chuck Swindoll Study the Bible” provides a helpful overview. For a deeper dive, pick up Pastor Chuck’s book, Searching the Scriptures: Find the Nourishment Your Soul Needs, which explains the method in detail.

Individual Searching the Scriptures Bible studies can be accessed at insight.org/series. Find the message series you’d like. Each sermon has a “Bible study” button you can click on to download. Printed studies, for some series, are available at store.insight.org. Because these studies are based on Pastor Chuck’s sermons, you can listen to his corresponding sermon while you work through a study. You can also find the full sermons on the Insight for Living mobile app.

As you work through the Bible study, note the insights and principles that you want to emphasize in the group. You probably won’t be able to cover them all, so highlight your favorites. Also, try to put into practice at least one of the applications. Lead by example. Show the group members the ways you’re growing . . . and it’s OK to be vulnerable. If you’re struggling in an area, others are probably struggling too.

• How is the Holy Spirit ministering to you?
• How is Christ expressing His life through you?
• When you feel discouraged and worn out, how are you resting in the Father’s care?
• What victories and answers to prayer can you claim?

Make your Bible study personal, and others will too. Once you’ve completed your personal preparation, now you’re ready to lead or teach others.

Leading or Teaching Others

Although they follow the same basic steps, not all Searching the Scriptures Bible studies are the same. Some focus on a single Bible passage. Others walk through large sections of Scripture following a long narrative. Still others are topical studies, covering many verses. Each study, however, follows the same eight-section path. Here’s how to walk your group through each one.

Introduction. Begin by reading the introduction, or you can open the study in your own words, perhaps using an illustration from your life.

Prepare Your Heart. Don’t skip this section. You may wish to pray extemporaneously, or read the prayer and Scripture provided.

Turn to the Scriptures. This section provides context and background information to set up the first step, observation.

Observation. Briefly explain how to observe the text. If the study includes charts or multiple passages, you can divide the group into subgroups, assigning a chart or passage to each one. Allow time for them to observe, or review what they’ve already observed, and then ask them to share a highlight. It could be within a smaller group or with the whole group—depending on how many members you have.

Interpretation. This section often features word studies, theological exploration, or historical context. Invite group members to share their answers to the questions. Avoid getting sidetracked in theological rabbit trails. If someone raises a complicated or controversial issue, invite him or her to do a little more research, and then you two can discuss it offline. Summarize the key truths that emerge from the passage and then transition to correlation.

Correlation. This section compares the passage with related Scriptures. You can assign the correlation passages to group members to read and briefly answer the questions.

Application. The culmination of Searching the Scriptures Bible studies is application, which lists Pastor Chuck’s principles from his sermon. Additional principles may even come to mind. Review this section and invite the group members to respond to the questions. Remember, your goal is to help people apply the Scriptures and become more like Christ. Applications may be behavioral, relational, emotional, or spiritual. Group members may plan to do something different, relate to others in a new way, address their thoughts and feelings, or walk closer with the Lord—in the power of the Holy Spirit. Include a few moments for quiet reflection and journal writing.

A Final Prayer. If there’s time, briefly share prayer requests and pray. A model prayer is included, or you can ask various people to offer a closing prayer.

Enhancing the Group Experience

Here are a few points to enhance the group experience.

Schedule

Before you gather, jot down an agenda. Every Searching the Scriptures Bible study includes the eight sections above. Calculate the time you can spend on each section according to the length of your meeting. Some may take only a minute or two; others may take twenty minutes. Prepare your group’s expectations. Stick to your schedule so you finish on time.

Managing Discussion

Some group members naturally talk a lot. Others say very little. If you notice a person hasn’t shared much, ask directly for his or her thoughts. If a person monopolizes the group, wait until after the meeting to talk with him or her privately. Say something like: “I appreciate all the thoughts you shared in the group. I can tell that you’re excited about this subject. To give time for others to share their thoughts, would you be willing to reduce the number of your comments next time we meet? We want everyone to feel heard.” Then follow up after the next meeting and thank the person for giving space for quieter members to talk.

Communication

Between meetings, contact group members via e-mail or text to inform them of upcoming meetings. Offer friendly reminders and encouragement for them to complete the Bible study.

Prayer Requests

Supporting one another in prayer is a key component of group studies. Write down the requests and follow up by asking for updates. Try to keep the prayer time brief. Sometimes dividing the group into subgroups for prayer can be an efficient use of time. Also, remind group members to keep prayer requests confidential. The personal details that people share are for the group only and should not be shared elsewhere.

Commitment

Ask the group members to attend regularly. Conflicts arise from time to time, and that’s perfectly understandable. But people should make it a priority to attend. Stick to the start times and stop times, even if people arrive late or must leave early. Most groups agree to meet for a certain number of months, and then there is an off-ramp and on-ramp opportunity for people to leave the group or join.

Celebrate!

People enjoy having opportunities to socialize, grow closer, and celebrate growth and accomplishments. Include special meetings periodically to take a break from Bible study, to enjoy food, to celebrate, and to have fun.

Conclusion

Insight for Living’s Searching the Scriptures Bible studies are just tools. Be creative in how you use them. Don’t think you have to cover every question and every point. It’s OK to give extra time for some questions and to skip others. You may cover one section in a couple of minutes while taking a half hour to dive deep into another section. Let the Holy Spirit lead you as you lead the group! Also, sometimes a crisis happens in the life of an individual. You may need to toss aside your agenda to focus on the needs of that person. Pick up the Bible study next time where you left off. Ministering to people is more important than accomplishing tasks. Remember, your goal is loving one another as Christ loved and doing good works in His name . . . and there’s no better place to start than in a group Bible study.

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