Practical Tips for Conducting a Bible Study

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Ken McDaniel | Springfield, Illinois

It was May of 2010. I was on my second evangelistic trip to Fiji working to establish a faithful congregation on the main island of Viti Levu. My youngest son, Colton, had just graduated high school and was accompanying me on the trip. We were riding in an old rickety bus to the village of Viseisei where a recent contact had gathered a few people in her home for a Bible study I was to lead. As the warm wind whistled through the old bus and the loose metal rattled over every pothole and crack in the road, Colton leaned over and asked, “What do you plan to teach?” I will never forget the look on his face when I replied, “I don’t know.” His expression of astonishment and disbelief said all he needed to say without speaking a word. “Dad! I can’t believe you’re not prepared. I’ve never known you to do something like this before. How could you not know what you are going to teach?” After a brief moment of savoring his reaction, I assured him that all would be OK. This situation was a little different than most. This time we had to visit the group first, find out where they were in their knowledge and understanding, and determine from there where would be the best place to start and at what level we would need to teach. The study went very well, and after a few more, we converted the lady of the house and her husband.

Teaching “on the fly” is not how most studies are done and is not recommended for those just beginning to teach. But the story above illustrates some very important aspects that we must consider each time we prepare for and conduct a Bible study. Who are we studying with? What type of knowledge base do they have? Are they hungering for truth, or are they apprehensive or even antagonistic? All these things and more will determine what and how we will teach or if we will even teach at all – sometimes, an initial, casual visit with a “spiritual discussion” is helpful to set someone at ease.

So, how do we decide what to teach? How do we prepare for it, and how do we go about teaching it? These questions can be very intimidating, especially to someone who has never taught a personal, evangelistic study. I know because that was the case for me.

I didn’t become a Christian till I was twenty years old. Before that, I led a very worldly life which left me empty and longing for something better. When my wife, Penny, and I became engaged, I decided to leave my old ways, seek God, and become a Christian. Though I knew it would change my life, I had no idea in how many ways and to what degree. I found myself not only turning from sin to righteousness and from indifference to reverence but experiencing tremendous feelings of peace, comfort, and hope, which I had never known. I had no right to these feelings before, that is, as far as they related to my relationship with God. But now I was converted. I knew with certainty that my sins were washed away, and, as Peter described it, this created a joy inexpressible (1 Peter 1:8). I was genuinely happy, and what followed was as natural and right as love and appreciation was for what God had done.

I wanted everyone to find what I had found, learn what I had learned, experience what I had experienced, and have what I had been given. As the days and weeks went by, this desire grew stronger and stronger, but with it, a dilemma arose: I had no clear idea what to do or to say, and honestly, I was scared. Still, the desire was there, and it was strong. How could I share with others what God had done for me?

After so many years, I do not recall the exact time frame involved, but it seems like it was only a few months until the congregation we were part of hosted a three-month training course in evangelism. Penny and I enrolled without hesitation. Each night we had homework which deepened our knowledge of the Bible and helped prepare us for questions that could arise in an evangelistic study (I have fond memories of Penny and me doing our nightly homework together). In the classes, we were taught the material we would be using to convert people and how to teach it. And as the class advanced, we were required to set up studies and conduct them on our own.

Now we were equipped to talk to people about what we had found and lead them through studies that would bring them to salvation. And that is what we did. We started with relatives, old beer-drinking buddies, people I had grown up with in the old neighborhood, new people we met, and visitors to the congregation. We were excited about what we had found, and now we could share it and watch it change people’s lives in the same way it changed ours. Within the first year of our training, we had several Bible studies, and some of our friends and relatives were converted.

What made the difference? What moved us from being scared and intimidated to conducting studies and leading people to salvation? The answer is simple and obvious, training and preparation. If we long to share our faith with others and help them to be saved, we cannot hope to so do so without preparation. But before we address this idea further, let me back up to something just as crucial yet even more foundational. If our own salvation has not impacted our lives and our hearts to the point that we yearn to share what we have found with others, then we probably need to revisit our conversion and reevaluate our relationship with the Lord. There is no greater treasure on earth than salvation, and how can we help but be excited and share it with others?

Now, concerning our questions about what to teach, how to prepare, and how to teach it. Let’s assume that the desire is there. Let’s also assume that we have someone in mind, or better yet, we have someone who has agreed to a study. How we approach that study will depend largely on their knowledge base and how we have framed the study to them. Do they realize they are lost and want us to help lead them to salvation? Are they lost but think they are saved and, in their mind, are just joining us for a friendly, edifying study? Are they lost and disagree with us on some issue, and are there to discuss it? Are they a brother in Christ and have agreed to a study for one reason or another? All these factors will determine what we will teach, how we prepare, and how we will teach them.

Let’s assume that the person is lost, has little or no Bible knowledge, and has agreed to study because they want to change their life and get to know God. Yes, these people are out there, many of them, and probably right under our noses. In the last several years, I have developed a series of open Bible studies (meaning no material is being used other than the Bible). But for many years, I used, and often still do, printed material designed to lead a person to salvation. The preparation for this type of study is done on the front end. You study the material, learn it well, and use it over and over. This is very effective because you become confident, credible, and proficient as you grow so familiar with it. This is the approach I would highly recommend to most. Preachers, elders, and others who are mature and skilled in the word might prefer an open Bible study approach. Still, prepared material will get those less experienced and knowledgeable across the table from people much sooner and is often very effective in converting them.

Some may scoff at using prepared, “canned,” material as they may see it, but that does not prove such an approach ineffective or even inferior. All it suggests is that it is not the approach for them. Often, they imagine that such material could never be sufficient to address all the misconceptions or all the arguments that will certainly come up in a study. And surely people would feel insulted that you would try to use such a childish approach on them. All these concerns are valid for a fraction of the studies one might teach, but most people who agree to a study have no idea where the book of Matthew is, what the church is, or how to be saved – seriously. So, well-developed material in the hands of one who has internalized it is very effective. Again, with this approach, the preparation is done before ever having your first study. You learn the material and how to teach it and then use it repeatedly. If it is good and you become effective in teaching it, you will likely see many experience the joy that follows their salvation.

Our next consideration is where to have the study. In years gone by, almost everyone agreed for you to come to their home, but not so today. Some will agree to come to your home. Others will meet you at the church building. Some will agree to a place like Starbucks, Panera Bread, a library, etc. Wherever you meet, they need to feel comfortable and be as distraction-free as possible.

When the study begins, if it is a typical evangelistic study, you will be in the position of “teacher.” This means you will need to take the lead but remember to be humble and polite. When it’s time to begin, you can shift attention to the study and lead a prayer. Next, let them know what you will be covering. Suggest that you take turns reading the scriptures (if they are comfortable reading) but that you would like them to answer the questions. In the teacher role, I always read each question and allow them to answer, rather than having them read the question and answer it also.

Try not to be nervous, and don’t rush the student. Often, they will not answer the question right away, and we might tend to answer it for them just because we are trying to help. Instead, let them search the passage and find it for themselves. Give them a little time. At the most, direct them to the specific verse that the answer is in. If they still don’t get it, back up and cover what they need to know to comprehend what they are missing. Don’t worry. Most of the time, just giving several seconds is all they need to get the answer. It is much better to let them find it in their Bible than for you to give it to them.

Keep the study on track. Questions are good, especially if they are on topic because they show that the person is engaged and seeking to understand. If the question is off-topic, deflect it by saying something like, “That’s a good question. If you don’t mind let’s wait till the end of the study, and I will be happy to answer it.” Or, if you know it will be covered later in the study or a subsequent study, just let them know that you will cover it then. You are in control. Getting off track can and will likely sabotage the study.

Reinforce correct answers. When they answer correctly, simply respond with, “good,” “excellent,” “outstanding,” but do not overdo it and be genuine in your support. With this approach, when they answer incorrectly and do not hear that gentle affirmation, it will catch their attention. You can then respond with something like, “take a look again at verse 7.” This is a simple but powerful tool.

When the study concludes, the student is almost always at ease and happy with what they have learned. They are usually very willing to meet again for the next study, so set it up then with a specific time and place. Ideally, the material you have chosen will lay the foundation they need, and in a few short weeks, or sooner, they will come to salvation.

There is certainly much more we could discuss (three months more in keeping with the training Penny and I received), but hopefully there is enough here that some will find it helpful. I would add that to get started, find some material you are comfortable with or learn an open Bible study approach that you can use over and over. Ask your preacher and/or elders for suggestions. Check with “brotherhood” bookstores. Find something that works for you and study it till you know it well. Then, start asking for studies. They will come.

I would also recommend that you seek a mentor who is active and effective in “one-on-one evangelism.” This can help fast-track your preparation tremendously.

In closing, let’s be honest with ourselves. Not everyone is able to teach, even if they have a burning desire to share what they have found with others. Not to worry. If this is you, rest assured that you are very needed and can be extremely helpful in the kingdom. You can create interest and lead people to those who can teach and in doing so share in the joy of their salvation. But with some training, many of us can teach. May God bless you in your efforts to prepare yourself and to help seek and save the lost.

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April 2023 | GROW magazine