A LifeGuide Bible Study

LEADING BIBLE DISCUSSIONS

Completely Revised & Expanded

James F. Nyquist

Jack Kuhatschek

InterVarsity Press

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS 60515

Second edition ©1985 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from InterVarsity Press, P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515.

InterVarsity Press® is the book-publishing division of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship®, a student movement active on campus at hundreds of universities, colleges and schools of nursing in the United States of America, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. For information about local and regional activities, write Public Relations Dept., InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, 6400 Schroeder Rd., P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895.

LifeGuide® is a registered trademark of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph: Robert McKendrick

ISBN 0-8308-1000-5

Contents

Introduction

1 Why Study in a Group?

2 Starting a Group

3 Deciding What to Study

4 Preparing to Lead

5 How to Study the Bible

6 How to Write Questions

7 Leading the Discussion

8 Evaluating the Discussion

9 Growing Together

Appendix: A Model Study

Introduction

Leading a Bible discussion can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. But it can also be scary, especially if you’ve never done it before. If this is your feeling, you’re in good company. When God asked Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he replied, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it!” (Ex 4:13).

When Solomon became king of Israel, he felt the task was far beyond his abilities. “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.… Who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:7, 9).

When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, he replied, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, … I do not know how to speak; I am only a child” (Jer 1:6).

The list goes on. The apostles were “unschooled, ordinary men” (Acts 4:13). Timothy was young, frail and frightened. Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” made him feel weak. But God’s response to all of his servants—including you—is essentially the same: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor 12:9). Relax. God helped these people in spite of their weaknesses, and he can help you in spite of your feelings of inadequacy.

There is another reason why you should feel encouraged. Leading a Bible discussion is not difficult if you follow certain guidelines. You don’t need to be an expert on the Bible or a trained teacher. The suggestions in this book should enable you to effectively and enjoyably fulfill your role as leader.