If you’re looking to read more Scripture, you’re probably excited about the prospect of reading with others, too. But the phrase Bible study makes most of us squirm—the one at your parish is all elderly people who knit sweaters while they talk about Corinthians, right? Who wants to spend a Saturday morning there?
But the Bible isn’t just a big old book: it’s an epic adventure. Its stories are ripe for reading, and lead to some of the most fruitful discussions you’ll ever have. You may think you know the Bible front and back but reading it with a group of people can help you to see things in a whole new light. The Lord said that when two or more are gathered in His name, He’s there. So, whether you’re struggling to make more Catholic friends, wanting to dive deeper into your relationships, or just excited about the prospect of talking about something so important, a Bible study may just be just the solution.
How can you start a Bible study that isn’t boring or awkward, but instead serves as a place for lively discussion and deep spiritual growth?
Prayerfully Invite Others to Your Bible Study
If you just announce your Bible study at Mass, you may have a ragtag group of volunteers. While this sounds good in theory—Cross-generational friendships! All are welcome! It’s easy!—the truth is that a random group of people isn’t going to have as fruitful a conversation as people who are in similar life stages or have similar interests.
Think about who you actually want to join your study, and then make a personal invitation. That will also make members feel more invested in, increasing the likelihood they’ll show up and participate.
Choose a Topic for Your Bible Study
Playing Bible roulette gets pretty dangerous—just opening the Bible and starting to read may land you smack dab in the middle of Leviticus, or another book that requires an intense amount of context. Instead, decide as a group which topic you want to study.
Maybe you’re interested in growing as mothers, or defending your Catholic views, or embracing social justice. Such topics These will help you find Bible verses to read and pray over. The more interesting the topic to your study members, the more intentional your conversation will be.
Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Have you ever been to a Bible study or other group discussion where the reading is over, and someone just looks up and . . . stares? It’s incredibly awkward. Many times, Bible study leaders don’t want to overpower or over-direct the conversation. They think that a conversation will just flow naturally after reading. But the truth is, when you’re first getting people together, people aren’t going to be super comfortable sharing their thoughts. Especially since talking about faith is such a sensitive topic. ! Having a few prepared questions that are detailed enough to spur on answers but vague enough to leave things open to interpretation is key. If the conversation goes off in a different direction, wonderful! You want to nurture authenticity and real discussion. But have a starting place to jump off of to can help you avoid the dreaded awkward silence.
Claire Swinarski
The short version: Claire Swinarski is the Edgar Award-nominated author of multiple books for both kids and adults. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Seventeen, Milwaukee Magazine, and many other publications. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband and three kids, where she writes books and wrangles bread dough. You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski.
