Ideas for Bible Study

Finding the best bible study for your small group or individual study can be a challenge. You can select a study by author, or type, or you can choose a multipart series.

With the increasing popularity of group bible studies christian publishers have begun to offer dedicated curriculum and lessons to help believers study the Bible. Small Groups and Bible fellowship groups are popular because they allow groups of believers the convenience of a meeting close to home while they fellowship and learn about the Bible. In addition to group settings, many believers want guides and materials to help them study the Bible during devotions or personal quiet time.

There are many types of lessons and materials to choose from to help you lead a small group Bible study. The first step in deciding which Bible study material is right for your group is to consider the amount of time your group will have and the makeup of the group. If a group only has a hour to meet and wants to have time for discussion its better to go with 'lighter/low commitment' Bible study like the Lifeguide Series or the Walk Thru Bible Series. On the other hand, if the members of the group want to do a study with lots of discussion and a longer meeting time then a more in-depth study like 'Experiencing God' or a John MacArthur study is warranted. For groups on a budget there are many free bible studies to choose from. More recent bible study materials also include online and DVD videos, these videos series usually have the author of the study talk the group through the main points of the week's session, this often helps participants connect with the material. Video studies are great ideas for people just starting out leading a group who like leading discussion but aren't comfortable with the responsibilities of teaching a full curriculum. Video series vary anywhere from 10-60 minutes so make sure to research how much time will be required to view the video and how it might impact your discussion and question time.

Also important when looking for Bible study ideas is to consider the audience or members of the group. For instance, if a group is made up of new believers you way want to do a seeker friendly study, or a study the covers the fundamentals of the faith. Bible studies on apologetics, or the life of christ might be good fit for this type of audience as well. On the other hand, if most of the members are christians looking to deeper their faith a study on christian living or evangelism might be more appropriate. There are also many more targeted studies such as recovery, forgiveness, and end times that can help christians understand what the Bible says about particular topics.

Some groups that are made up entirely of women or men have a variety of choices as well. Popular women's authors include Beth Moore, Kay Author, Priscilla Shirer, Lysa TerKeurst, and the women of faith series. Men's groups might prefer studies from Josh McDowell, John Piper, Andy Stanley, or the men of character series. If your group is made up of couples you might want to consider a study on relationships, marriage, or parenting.

To look for general Bible study ideas from all series, authors, and audiences you can view the most popular Bible studies or the highest rated Bible studies. And finally no matter what you choose make sure the study has you reading and thinking about the Bible. There is no substitute for the focused study of God's word to help a Christian grow and flourish in their faith.