Starting New Bible Study Groups: Three Keys

If you are a part of leading Sunday School or other expressions of small group Bible studies, hopefully you have already begun to think about starting new Bible study groups in the fall. I know, it sounds like it is a long way out, but remember, with summer activities just around the corner, you need to get some things in place before people scatter for the summer. You will have another great opportunity in January, but why wait? Here are three keys that can help you as you make plans for starting new Bible study groups:

• Identify potential opportunities for starting new Bible study groups. Do you have groups that target the adults God is sending to your church and community? Do you have groups that are too large? Do you have guests visiting your church that don't have a group in which to connect? Do you have adult segments that current groups can't reach?
• Develop a timeline. Determine actions steps that include communicating with current group leaders that will be affected, enlisting and training the new Bible study leader, enlisting a core group to help "seed" the new group, creating a list of potential participants, communicating with potential participants, choosing appropriate space either on-campus or off-campus, choosing Bible study content, action steps after the group launches, and other items that are unique to your situation.
• Stay on task. Follow your timeline. Add additional items. Communicate, communicate, communicate!

Bruce Raley, Director of Church Education Ministry for LifeWay Christian Resources, and member of the 4:12 Network, shares his story of starting a new group. I hope it will encourage you as it has encouraged me to continuously prepare to lead my church to start new Bible study groups.