Helping ordinary people learn to study the Bible
This is a great time to consider a new reading plan. While it requires discipline, it can also be great fun. I just reposted an article about the speed-reading Bible plan I’ve followed for the last 5 years. This article first appeared at The Gospel Coalition. In a few days, I’ll post a new contest to encourage you to try this delightful plan in the coming year.
In “How the Bible Came Alive,” Rebecca Davis describes her experience reading Psalm 22 and learning to take her eyes off herself to see Christ. I appreciate her account of learning to follow the text wherever it would lead her.
What happened to me over the course of those two weeks — studying sounds far too academic. Meditating these days can have New-Age overtones. Pondering the Scriptures? Soaking in the Scriptures? But really the point isn’t what I did with the Scriptures. It’s what God did in me through them, as he held them up as a magnifying glass to see the Lord Jesus Christ more and more clearly.
As you train a new Bible study leader, how do you know when the person is ready to begin helping? When should you move an apprentice from the “I do, you watch” to the “I do, you help” stage of training? If we advance people too quickly, they may burn out and give up. If we move them too slowly, the training could become stagnant and lifeless. What are the signs of a good balance?
Loving Earth (2008), Creative Commons
Don’t miss this critical sign on account of your grand master planning. Though there are times for challenging people to step up to something new and scary, it’s generally not a good idea to heap burdens of responsibility on unwilling victims. High commitment + low motivation = small chance of long-term perseverance. “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim 3:1). A Bible study leader is not the same as a church elder, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to apply the same leadership principle.
They don’t have to be top scholars, but they do need to grasp the rudiments of OIA Bible study (Observe, interpret, apply). If not, I would begin by teaching those rudiments. You are, after all, training this person to lead a Bible study. Best to make sure this person knows how to study the Bible and doesn’t merely seek a platform for greater control over people’s lives or propagation of personal opinions.
I’ve tried to train leaders who were clueless about how to read people, respond to social cues, or adjust their approach to the need of the moment. It hasn’t gone well. Before giving people more responsibility, make sure they know how to listen actively and carry on a conversation. Especially make sure they generally know when to talk and when to let others talk.
You don’t want to train apprentices up to multiply your group, only to have them take the new groups where you don’t think they should go. And you’ll all be frustrated if you can’t eventually trust your apprentices to lead their own groups. Some painful splits can be prevented by making sure the vision for Bible study, heart-oriented discipleship, and pastoral care are clear up front.
Of course, a new apprentice often brings a fresh perspective and helps us to see things we wouldn’t otherwise see. If apprentices look more to the needs of others than to their own needs, this can be a great blessing. You can teach someone to study the Bible. You can teach someone to lead a Bible study. You can challenge apprentices to put the needs of others first. But you can’t actually make them put others first. Such disciples are gifts from the Lord. Don’t squander them. Set them loose, and let them help.
YouVersion just released its list of the most frequently shared verses, according to its 200 million users worldwide. Romans 12:2 has fallen from first to fourth place, unseated at the top by Proverbs 3:5-6.
For the top five verses, along with a map showing the most shared verse in different parts of the world, check out the article at Christianity Today.
Patrice_Audet (2013), public domain
There are two types of people: those who bounce through mid-December and those who slouch. There are two types of people: those who have finished their Christmas shopping by mid-December and those who haven’t. I trust you catch the correspondence.
My final pre-holiday gift to you is a list. (You’ll accept it unwrapped, I hope.) If you’re slouching, consider these suggestions for family and friends this Christmas. If you’re a bouncer (not that kind), don’t worry—these ideas are evergreen. Stash these tips for birthdays, graduations, or any gift occasion, like Limerick Day (May 12) or National S’mores Day (August 10).
Last year I shared three gifts to encourage Bible study; this year I have four more. As before, I’ve included a no cost option, so this list is for everyone.
A markup Bible — People are more likely to engage with the Bible when they interact with the text physically—circling, underlining, highlighting, outlining in the margins. Why not buy a Bible for a friend or family member dedicated to this purpose? This need not be an expensive gift. If you follow the links on this page, you’ll find several reasonably-priced options. (Additionally, remember that Westminster Bookstore has a great sale on ESV journaling Bibles through the end of 2015.)
Bonus suggestions: For those who prefer to print out Bible passages instead of marking up a separate Bible, consider giving some printer paper and printer ink. Any markup Bible fan would be able to use good pens, colored pencils, or highlighters.
Disclaimer: The Amazon links above are affiliate links, so if you make a purchase after clicking through, you’ll be giving a small percentage of your purchase to Knowable Word—a great gift! This will allow us to keep posting and help ordinary people learn to study the Bible. It’s a circle of giving!
I’ve recently reviewed many study Bibles, and I’ve now also evaluated and compared each one according to how it helps or hinders OIA Bible study (observe, interpret, apply). I’ve given each Bible a score based on the blessings and curses of study Bibles I’ve written about before. Because some study Bibles get much more hype than others, I find it helpful to know which study Bibles will actually help people to study the Bible.
If you’re ready to see my evaluation:
I still recommend Tim Challies’s infographic if you’re interested in just the facts and stats for some of these study Bibles. My buying guide provides more detailed evaluation of OIA principles (and of ways the study Bibles help or hinder OIA study).
I’ve also added this buying guide to the resources page so you don’t have to navigate back to this blog post to find the buying guide in the future.
From now until Dec 31, 2015, Westminster Bookstore has all ESV journaling Bibles at 50% off. Perhaps this would be a good time to consider getting a new markup Bible.
Check it out at Westminster Books!
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Dear Journal: If people click the Westminster link, this blog will receive a small commission. How should we notify them of this fact?
In this 2-minute video from Desiring God, Ben Stuart gives a few pointers for helping others get started with the Bible.
https://vimeo.com/111033779
In summary, Stuart suggests:
Check it out!
My grandfather used to do a magic trick for children where he would remove half of his finger and make it float in mid-air. I thought he was a wizard, until he showed me how to do it. His revelation inspired me to perform the same trick whenever I’m around young children, and I now think I’m destined to become like my Pop-pop: a crazy old feller who gets his kicks off making children laugh at him.
Did you catch the turning point in my tale? He showed me how to do it. Training a new Bible study leader works the same way.
Jesus got his first disciples on John the Baptist’s recommendation. John’s men trusted him when he told them to behold the Lamb of God (John 1:35-36). They went to check Jesus out, and Jesus didn’t commit too quickly. He merely invited them to “Come and see” (John 1:38-39). (Presumably, it was sometime after this that Jesus called them to make a clean break with their life direction and follow him – Mark 1:16-20.)
Jesus took these disciples along when he performed his first miracle (John 1:2) and cleared out the temple (John 1:22). He had them watch for a little while (Mark 3:13-6:6) before he gave them much to do themselves (Mark 6:7-8:30).
Jesus knew they wouldn’t know what to do unless they first saw him do it.
As you begin training new Bible study leaders, first let them in and then let them see you do it. But what should we show them?
If you had a mentor who showed you these things, you understand how helpful it was. If you didn’t have such a mentor, you can help others avoid the mistakes you made. This will get them farther faster.
The first phase of training apprentices is “I do, you watch.” This involves letting them in and letting them see you do it. Don’t just tell them how to do it; show them.
At the Gospel Coalition, Joe Carter writes of some basic Bible facts we all should know. This background information helps us to understand better as we read and study. Carter briefly covers issues such as:
