Help your group build confidence in God’s Word — one lesson at a time.
The Bible can feel like an intimidating book — but it doesn’t have to. Bible Basics is a ten-lesson series written for newer believers, teens, or anyone who has always wanted to understand the Bible but never known where to start. No prior knowledge required — and you don’t need to be a Bible expert to lead it. Part of what makes this series work is a leader who approaches the material with the same curiosity they’re inviting from their group.
Over ten engaging sessions, your group will discover what’s in the Bible and how it’s organized, learn to trace its overarching story from Genesis to Revelation, explore how to read Scripture on their own, and find out why the Bible can be trusted — historically and by faith. By the time your group reaches Lesson 10, they won’t just know more about the Bible. They’ll know how to open it.
Download your free Bible Basics study at the end of this post!
Each lesson is designed to run approximately 45–60 minutes and comes with a Participant Guide so participants can follow along, take notes, and engage with Scripture during the discussion. The series is designed to build from lesson to lesson — but individual lessons can also stand on their own if you have a one-time need or are jumping in mid-series.
THE LESSON — The heart of each session is a facilitated lesson built around a central teaching purpose and Scripture passages. The study is written as a script — not to be read word for word, but to give you language and direction for what you’re teaching. Feel free to put it in your own words. Participant Guides follow along with each lesson and give participants a place to engage with Scripture, fill in notes, and respond to discussion questions.
ACCOUNTABILITY RHYTHM (OPTIONAL) — At the close of each lesson, you have the option to assign a Bible reading passage for participants to complete before the next session. At the following meeting, an optional opening check-in creates space for participants to share what they read and what they noticed. These two elements are designed to work together — one sends participants into Scripture, the other creates space to reflect on what they found. Both are optional, but the rhythm they create can significantly deepen spiritual growth and community. This structure also works well for one-on-one discipleship conversations outside of your group meeting.
Come Prepared — Read through the lesson script before you meet and think about how you’d say it in your own words. The script is a guide, not a manuscript — your group will benefit most when you know the material well enough to teach it naturally and make space for conversation.
Lead the Discussion Well — These lessons are built to spark conversation, not just deliver information. Make space for participants to wrestle with the questions and share honestly rather than rushing to fill the silence with answers. For practical help encouraging participation and building an open, engaged group, check out my 4 Quick Tips for Leading a Bible Study.
Build on Each Lesson — This series is designed to be done in sequence — each lesson builds on what came before. When possible, encourage participants to commit to all ten sessions. That said, individual lessons can also stand on their own if your group has a one-time need. Either way, distribute Participant Guides at the start of each meeting and encourage participants to keep them. By Lesson 10, they’ll have a complete workbook they can reference long after the series ends.
By the end of this series, the people in your group will have a solid foundation for reading, understanding, and trusting the Bible on their own. That’s the kind of discipleship that lasts. Download the free study below and start building that foundation with your group.