EQUIPPING THE CHURCH FOR THE HARVEST (2)
HOW TO GIVE A BIBLE STUDY
PENTECOST 2018
PREPARATION FOR GIVING BIBLE STUDIES
1. Pray Earnestly: Jesus said “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). To be successful in
working for others, you must have the power, presence, and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
2. Ask Yourself, “What Is The Purpose Of This Visit Or Study?”: What decision do I want? How can
I make it Christ-centered? How can it make Jesus more attractive and aid in a decision to accept
and follow Him?’
3. Prepare Well: Prepare well with comments and illustrations jotted in the margins. Plan enough
to make it interesting, but not too long, especially the first time.
4. Have Plenty Of Materials: Bibles, Study guides, support booklets, pamphlets, and tracts will be
needed.
5. Be Optimistic: Never think or talk of failure. “Workers for Christ are never to think, much less to
speak, of failure. . . . The Lord Jesus is our efficiency in all things” (Gospel Workers, p. 19).
AT THE BIBLE STUDY
1. Be Punctual
2. Be Enthusiastic: Be enthusiastic, cheerful, relaxed, and friendly. If you look sad and stern, they
won’t think you have anything of interest to share. If they have something interesting to share, it is
good to share it before the study so they won’t interrupt or chat at the end. An important principle
is to talk about their interests and not yours.
3. Sit in a Circle: With a group, it is best to sit in a circle, if possible. With one person, sit across the
corner of a table.
4. Ask How They Enjoyed the Lesson: After you make certain everyone is introduced and
comfortable, you might begin by saying, “How did you do with the lessons this week?” Or say, “Did
you learn anything new?”
5. Be Understanding: If your students have not studied, or if they fail to come to the study, be
understanding. The student:
(a) may have forgotten, (new habits are difficult to form).
(b) may lack motivation.
(c) may not have understood the lesson, or
(d) perhaps is not interested.
6. Be Encouraging: Say, “Oh, that’s too bad. I know you would really enjoy these.” If you are at their
home, say, “Since we sat aside this time for you, why don’t we take a few minutes and get you
started?” (Do one study). If the prospect refuses, offer an appropriate tract or lend a book. Say,
“Here is my telephone number . . . In case I can be of any service.” Don’t wait. Pray for guidance.
Start another study immediately.
HOW TO PRESENT THE BIBLE STUDY
1. Begin with Prayer
Explain the privilege we have of calling upon God for guidance as we study. Invite your students to
bow their heads as you pray:
“Our Father, we pray that You will send Your Holy Spirit, who guided the Bible writers, to be with us
today as we study Your Word. Help us to understand Your Plan for this world and for our lives. In
Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
2. Make a brief introduction.
3. Always listen to the understanding of the student.
Build on it.
4. Always get the answer from the student.
1). Help him/her find the page number and text.
2). Read or ask the question.
3). Ask him/her to read the text to find the answer.
4). Ask the question again and get the student’s answer before commenting.
Ask, “Is it clear that . . .?” Get confirmation at each step of the way.
5. Compliment good answers.
6. Discuss and review answers: Never say, “That’s wrong.” Kindly say, “We seem to have different
thoughts on the question. Let’s check that one again.” You are not only looking for answers, you are
trying to reach heats. Remember to be always kind and tactful, and to speak in gentle tones.
Keep in mind the following: “Your success will not depend so much upon your knowledge and
accomplishments, but upon your ability to find your way to the heart.”
Be kind and gentle, never sharp. “The tones of the voice have much to do in affecting the hearts of
those that hear.” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 615)
7. Make brief, relevant comments: As you go along, using appropriate illustrations to make it
interesting. Keep in mind the following: Don’t use too many illustrations. Your own illustrations are
best. Don’t attempt to tell everything you know. Make your presentations beautiful, clear, and
simple.
8. Stick to the subject: Stick to the positive truth. Dispel darkness by turning on the light. Don’t
explain falsehood (e.g. the rapture). However, it is best to answer some questions before they occur.
9. Never introduce ideas: For which the Bible student does not have sufficient background and is
not prepared to receive. Be careful not to use Spirit of Prophecy information that you can’t prove
with a text.
10. Do not to Answer Questions: Do not attempt to answer questions that deal with a future,
controversial subject. Instead say something like, “we’ll be studying about that in a later lesson;
that’s a whole lesson in itself.” To answer a question for which a foundation has not been laid could
cause the student to lose interest and discontinue studies altogether.
11. Anchor the Student’s Faith: It is vital to anchor the student’s faith in the Word of God during the
first six studies.
12. Build Interest in Future Lessons: As you finish the study, build interest I future lessons by telling
how various points will be expanded later.
13. Review the Key Points: At the end of the lesson, briefly review the key points.
14. Always ask for a Decision: Always ask for a decision at the end of every study session, on the
topic that was just studied. Such as, “Do you want to go to heaven?” or “Do you wish for your body
to be a temple for God?” Pray in your heart. Ask in a pleasant and positive way, expecting a positive
answer. Then compliment your student for making this decision, and also restate their decision.
Decision making at the end of each lesson leads the student step by step to a decision to accept and
follow Christ as their Saviour and Lord, and then step by step into what He wants them to do. “Many
times minds are impressed with tenfold more force by personal appeals than by any other kind of
labor” (Evangelism, p. 463).
15. Pray: As soon as your students make a decision, say, “Let us close with prayer.” Thank God for
His presence, the good work of the student, and their decision. Ask for His special blessing on them
as they continue to study.
16. Mark “Excellent”: If your students are doing Bible Correspondence Lessons, then try to mark
“Excellent” on each of their lessons. Say “You did such a good job on these. I know you are going to
enjoy thoroughly the next lessons.”
17. Hand Out The Next Subject: Hand out or indicate the next two subjects and texts, explaining
them briefly.
18. Remind Them of Next Appointment: Remind your students of the next week’s appointment and
state that you will be looking forward to it. It is vital to have a study session every week.
19. Lend a Book or Material: Give a book, magazine, or a tract to your student if available and
appropriate, to substantiate the subject(s) just completed.
20. Mind Your Time: A study should not take more than 40 to 60 minutes.
21. Test the Degree of Interest: Test the degree of interest (at first) by saying, “I hope we haven’t
kept you too long and worn out our welcome.”
22. Leave Immediately: Leave immediately after the study in order to help keep the truth in the
mind.
23. Pray for Your Students: Pray for your students everyday.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN GIVING BIBLE STUDIES
BE UNDERSTANDING: When you know the person’s position, you can say, “I understand how you
feel.” He or she may only have wanted to state an opinion.
LISTEN: Don’t do all the talking. Listen to hear other’s needs, concerns, and understanding. Tailor
your answers to your student’s needs.
GET A FIRM DECISION FOR CHRIST: Get a firm decision for Christ before introducing testing truths.
To introduce any truth that requires obedience before surrender occurs only to antagonize a
powerless person. It should not be done. Lead individuals to know and surrender to Christ first, and
then step by step into what He wants them to do.
HOW TO MEET OPPOSITION: If after the surrender is made, the person objects strongly to clearly
reveal truth, you can say in love, “This is not my idea. This is what the Bible says.” The approach
virtually eliminates arguments and debates. The following counsel about the Sabbath could, no
doubt, apply to any testing truth. “You should not feel it your duty to introduce arguments upon the
Sabbath question as you meet people. If persons mention the subject, tell them that this is not your
burden now. But when they surrender heart and mind and will to God, they are then are then
prepared candidly to weigh evidence in regard to these solemn, testing truths” (Evangelism, p. 228).
BE TACTFUL AND SMOOTH: Don’t make anyone angry. Don’t condemn your students
DON’T ARGUE: You may win the argument and lose the soul. When people become argumentative,
don’t oppose them. Accept people where they are.
BE INTENSELY INTERESTED IN THE PERSON: Constantly pray for the love and tact of Jesus. Study His
methods in The Desire of Ages.
OFFER COMPLIMENTS: Offer compliments whenever possible.
AGREE: Agree on every point possible.
DON’T BE EMBARRASSED: Don’t be embarrassed about questions you cannot answer. No one
knows everything; and, besides, you aren’t posing as an authority on the Bible. You might say, “I’m
not certain where that text is in the Bible, but I’ll look it up in my concordance and bring it to you
next week.”
