For the Members: 10 Tips for a Successful Bible Study
1. Arrive to Bible class early. This is true
for both teachers and students. Teachers should be prepared to start
class when class starts, not preparing their class when class should
have already begun. It can be discouraging when visitors show up to
class before the teachers. On the other hand, it also can be
discouraging when a teacher has worked hard to prepare a class only to
have to start it late or be interrupted by tardy students (Phil. 2:4).
2. Come to class prepared. Bringing a Bible to “Bible” study is a
good first step in preparation. In addition, reading the required text,
bringing workbooks and being properly rested are aids to a successful
class. Both adults and children need to get the sleep they need to stay
awake in class. Whatever your Bible class requires, please do it as if
you were being graded for it. Test day is judgment day (Rom. 14:12).
3. “Be kind to one another” (Ephesians 4:32). Bible class
can be a miserable experience if we belittle our classmates and treat
them disrespectfully. Teasing to one may be an insult to another. We
need to study the Bible seriously and charitably (Jude 3; 1 Corinthians
13:2,3).
4. Realize the devil does not need an “advocate.” Satan is smart
enough to do damage without the help of those in Bible classes who like
to play “devil’s advocate.” The man interested in “foolish disputes” is
to be avoided by Christians (Titus 3:9,10).
5. Avoid “hyping up” the students. Children are difficult to
control when they have been “hyped up” before class. Bible class
teachers have a tough job keeping the little ones calm and attentive.
Giving kids candies and tickle-torturing them before class or worship
does not help (Titus 2:6).
6. Attend class regularly (Hebrews 10:24-26). Repetition and
habit is a key to successful Bible classes. The more you attend, the
more you will learn. The more students miss, the tougher the teacher’s
job becomes as they cover contexts and questions already covered in
previous classes.
7. Take extensive notes. Bible class can help us personally, but
it also can help us help others with their questions about the Bible. If
you attend regularly, you should eventually have notes covering the
entire Bible. That should be a great help in teaching the “doctrine”
to others (1 Timothy 4:16).
8. Write down a useful comment or question before class. It may
be another verse, or comment from another writer or a question about a
text that troubles you...if it is written down, the class conversation
is less off-the-top-of-the-head and more thoughtful, relevant discussion
(Acts 8:34).
9. Study after class. Make sure the teaching matches up with
Scripture, just like the Bereans of Acts 17:11.
10. Apply the study to yourself. “But he who looks into the
perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful
hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does”
(James 1:25).