METHODS AND GUIDELINES
Guidelines for Effective Evangelistic Bible Studies
Master the simple lesson to be taught. Plan how to deliver it spontaneously.
Pre-mark scripture you are going to use. Make a short outline to prompt you
so you don't have to use the handout material in front of your group members.
Always establish the right atmosphere first at the beginning of the study. You
may say something like this: `We are not here to test our knowledge of the Bible, but to
know God, His ways and how He can work in our lives today.’
Encourage participation
By reading the passages being studied together
(if you all have the same Bible versions).
Avoid calling on people individually. Never embarrass anybody by
parading his or her ignorance of the Bible. Just throw an
easy question for anybody to answer: Example: What do you think this
passage talks about?
Remember that you can't expect all correct answers from unbelievers.
(1CO 2:14) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come
from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot
understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The answers people
give are windows through which you can enter into their lives with God’s
Words.
Keep the atmosphere positive. Remember that the Holy Spirit works with
the Word of God to bring results in people’s lives.
Even when somebody asks an `annoying' question, you still can say, `I
appreciate your asking questions - which show your interest for God's word...
Give them direct contact with the Scriptures. If possible, let them have a
Bible and follow you as you read. Be sure they open to the passage being
studied. Better still, let them read the passage with you or for you.
Be relevant. Always lead them to see the
relevance of the lesson to their lives. You are not just teaching lessons. You
are teaching people who need a real experience of what the Bible says.
Be an evangelist. Be sensitive for open hearts ready for harvest.
No matter what the focus of the lesson, always give a chance for people
to express faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
