What's it like when you go to Bible study?

  • Calm and predictable, but the teacher does make it interesting most of the time.
  • Very calm and very predictable. Nearly boring, but I know that I ought to go.
  • Irritating. Makes my blood pressure go up, but, oh well.
  • Fascinating. Discussions are lively. It gives us something to apply to our lives.

What can I do to be ready for my Bible study group?

Go prepared, using things like the COMB approach, as well as "then" and "now" approach to your Bible study.

The COMB Approach

  • Context
    Read ahead of and after the verses in the study. What is being talked about?
  • Other verses
    What other Scripture sheds light on the concept.
  • Meaning
    Look up the meaning of key words. Is the word repeated frequently in this book?
  • Background
    What has happened to bring on these events? Picture yourself in the scene.

  • Then: How did this teaching apply to the people in those days?
  • Now: How does this teaching apply to us in our time?

What if a disagreement arises in my Bible study group?

If you're the teacher, be thankful. It's an opportunity to go past a routine reading of the verse. It's an opportunity to display patience with each other. It's a challenge for each of us to dig deeper in our Bible study and also our relationships.

If you're one of the members of the group, be thankful. You can demonstrate a good attitude while developing your communication skills. You can show initiative in study before the next meeting.

How can I share my understanding with the others and encourage them to do the same?

  1. Clarify what the disagreement is. Can you put it into writing?
  2. What version of the Bible are you using?
  3. What version of the Bible are the others in the group using?
  4. What other verses use the same word or the same concept?
  5. Read the chapter before and the chapter after: note the context of your passage.
  6. Have you checked Strong's Concordance or other concordance for similar words, passages, or ideas?
  7. Who is the "authority" you are quoting? What are his/her qualifications?
  8. Are there other books that you recommend to us?
  9. Make written notes to hand out to the others.
  10. Be a good listener when others are speaking. Ask good questions, too.

What if we all cannot agree?

  • Be thankful for God's goodness and mercy, since we are all less than 100% brilliant.
  • Be quick to encourage each other.
  • Take into consideration how much you have been growing, spiritually.
  • Decide if further study and discussion might be helpful at this time.

How important is it?

Keep in mind that there are important, life-affecting, eternal truths that we must receive as we embrace our Savior. Other issues are probably interesting, but could be mainly historical, or helpful for children, or useful for teaching new believers.

What if we are running out of time in our Bible study?

Size up the situation and the content.

It's too bad when the teacher or the class feels it must press on to complete a certain number of pages. This may rob us from some honest questions and helpful discussion.

Is this important enough? Does anyone else in the group feel it's worth the extra time and effort?

What if we all cannot agree?
Can it be better covered a few weeks from now? Consult the calendar. Let's all do some homework.

Is there anyone who we could invite to share knowledge or first-hand experience?

Be a Berean. Check out God's truth for yourself! Read what is said about them! (Acts 17:11)

Read and study the Bible with another believer. Both of you can be blessed.

As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend (Proverbs 27:17 NLT).

Let's remember that for our growth in the Lord and His Word, a sermon is not enough. A TV program can't do it for you. The stories from childhood Sunday School can not give you an adult perspective. Bible study is not a time-filler, a routine meeting. For the believer it is not optional. It is time to let God speak to us and prepare us to serve Him:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV).

Welcome the Lord and His Word into your life. We need God's presence, His empowering, and His grace to learn to do what pleases Him.