Over the past several years, bible studies have been a large part of my life. During my undergraduate years at Northland, I had the opportunity along with my wife and a Dominican friend of mine to begin two bible studies with two Mexican families in the small town of Stephenson, Michigan. One of them lasted for 6 months; the other, three and a half years.
In my present ministry at Tri-County, I am also involved in two bible studies: one at a country club at 10:30 on Tuesday mornings and another at Panera Bread at 7:10 on Thursday mornings. The first bible study involves a group of retired men that I lead. The second is one I attend alongside of a few pastors and laymen.
Each bible study that I have lead or participated in possesses its own unique characteristics. The age group, spiritual maturity, leadership ability, and surrounding atmosphere intrinsically create a particular setting in each one.
As I desire to begin a new bible study with several guys ages 20-25, I have contemplated much on the parameters that should be applied to bible studies. I do not necessarily believe that these should be shared with the group (though this may be a profitable decision), yet the leader in the bible study should always have these criteria in mind in order to steer a particular group of believers in a direction that will lead them into a rich and profitable experience in the Word of God together. The following are a list of principles which I believe should be applied to bible study groups:

1. Use the Bible. Though I am an avid reader and thoroughly enjoy discussing the fine points of authors that I have read, a worthwhile bible study will not discuss a newly released book or even a phenomenal classic. A time of joint meditation in and with the Word of God will leave a lasting impression on the soul and much usefulness for the Spirit to work in the life throughout the remainder of the day.

2. Commit to openness. With frequent reminders, the group must be encouraged to share from the heart what a particular passage of Scripture means, how it changes their life, and how it conforms them to greater righteous living.

3. Seek principles. Each passage of Scripture, in any genre, contains various principles which span the horizon of history. Those involved in the bible study must desire to jointly find the stated and/or implied truths that carry over into the church today.

4. Disregard issues. When believers come together and discuss the bible, unfortunately there is a tendency to discuss, in "application", various issues in the church, all of which are typically non-essential and unhealthy for the growth of the believers: music, bible versions, finer points of doctrine, Calvinism/Arminianism, are only a few that repeatedly find themselves at bible study tables around the country.

5. Find the doctrine. While disregarding the finer, and inconsequential, points of doctrine, there must be a joint desire in the group to discuss theology. Without it, the group sees the Word as a "guideline to live your life by" or as a book of passages that "give you insight for the day". Though these are common viewpoints in our Christian world today, they are contrary to Scripture. Scripture has been given so that by it we can learn those doctrines that will lead us to salvation (II Tim. 3:15).

6. Apply, apply, apply. Though the amount of time given for application must be monitored, the group must be committed to apply the great doctrines of God's Word to life. The believers must brush aside the tendency to revert to "reading your bible and praying" as all the application needed. Rather, it is important that the bible be allowed to sever the emotions and thoughts of each individual and be applied in a distinct fashion.


"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16,17