Leaders Toolbox #21

8 Keys to Communicating Well During Bible Study

1. Communicate Your Heart
You are for them and there for them. You are excited to share God’s Word with them. You want them to receive God’s Word in a real and authentic way.

2. Communicate Your Goals
Goals can be general: love Jesus more, pray for each other more, listen well, etc. Goals can be very specific; that they would understand verses 1-11 in the first chapter of Phillipians, memorize a certain verse that week, etc. Goals can be determined based on where a group is at.

3. Help Them Transition to Bible Study
Find a connection point (could be sports, music, school, game systems). Tell a compelling story. Tell your own story. Lean in, look them in the eye; allow your facial expressions and your voice to let them know you see the value in what they are going to learn.

4. Create a Good Rhythm
An equal balance of the following: Explanation (explaining the text), Illustration (always good to share your own life stories), and Application (make it real for them)

5. Ask Good Questions
On a scale of 1-10, where are we/you at when it comes to _______? What would it look like if we all __________? How did that make you feel? Don’t be afraid to use an object to signify who is answering the question; so that not everyone is answering the question at once.

6. Be Flexible, Yet Focused
Be okay and patient with awkward silence. Remind them of main ideas. Feel the freedom to go off on an appropriate tangent.

7. Handle Distractions
I usually sit next to who I think is going to be the biggest distraction. The Pause: If the kids are talking too much, I will sometimes stop and let them continue to talk and one of them has the opportunity to step up and say guys we need to listen. This usually works. The Conversation: Don’t be afraid to talk with a student that talks a lot before or after a group. For example, you could say “I so value your opinion, I love listening to you! But, I really want to give everyone else a chance to share what they’re going through and hear the questions that they may have about this.”

8. Finish Strong
Go around and have the students tell you what they heard that night, this is a great way to review! Answers can be pretty interesting. Pray for them; have them pray for each other (they learn to pray by praying!)