4 Quick Tips for Leading a Bible Study
Are you new to leading a Bible study? Or maybe you’ve been facilitating for a while and want to sharpen your skills. Whatever your stage, these four practical tips will help you lead with confidence and serve your group well.
At the end of the post you can access my FREE Quick Tips Handout and my FREE Training Lesson: Bible Study Leader Quick Tips!
1. Come Prepared: Prayer + Study
Prayer: We can’t lead well without God’s help. Pray for yourself and your group:
- For participants to feel comfortable, open up, focus, and grow in Christ
- For wisdom, creativity, and discernment as a facilitator
- For the Spirit’s guidance on what your group most needs
Study: Whether you’re new or experienced, preparation makes all the difference.
- If a question is confusing, you’ll be ready to reword it.
- If time is short, you’ll know which points to prioritize and how to wrap up well.
2. Encourage Openness
Your tone and transparency set the tone for the group. Create a safe space by:
- Staying positive and encouraging
- Using icebreakers to get people comfortable
- Sharing your own questions or struggles so others know it’s okay to do the same
3. Give People Time to Process
Most participants are hearing the scripture and questions for the first time, so give them space to think.
- Slow Down: Speak clearly instead of rushing through passages or questions.
- Wait: After asking a question, use the 7-second rule—count to seven in your head before rephrasing or moving on.
- Embrace Silence: Quiet moments don’t mean failure. God is still working as people process truth. Stay positive, let participants write responses first if needed, or call on people kindly without pressuring them.
4. Prompt More Responses
To deepen discussion, ask “What else?” or “Who else?” These questions invite more participation and keep the conversation open.
Be wise about when to use them: they’re great for open-ended questions but unnecessary for ones with only one clear answer.
God is with You
I’m no expert, but I’ve seen how preparation and these simple practices make small groups smoother and more meaningful. God is faithful—He’ll be with you as you lead.
