{"id":12523,"date":"2022-07-29T08:00:25","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T12:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainbibleteachers.com\/blog\/?p=12523"},"modified":"2026-04-24T09:27:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T13:27:44","slug":"small-group-teachers-methods-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainbibleteachers.com\/blog\/small-group-teachers-methods-materials.htm","title":{"rendered":"A Small Group Bible Study Teacher’s Methods and Materials"},"content":{"rendered":"

If we take time to reflect on the potential of small groups, we’ll soon arrive at some goals for our teaching<\/a>. Those goals will then steer us to a small group Bible study teacher’s methods and materials. What methodology will best accomplish our goals so we can maximize the potential for learning in this size group?<\/p>\n

3 Ways for A Small Group Bible Study Teacher’s Methods and Materials to Maximize Potential Learning<\/h2>\n

\"Small
\nIf a small group’s potential centers around it being an ideal setting for collaboration, community, and cultivation of growth, then Bible teachers need to employ the following strategies in their methodology.<\/p>\n

1)<\/strong> To facilitate learning together, we must use more student-oriented, particularly group-oriented, methods rather than teacher-oriented methodology.<\/p>\n

That means we must nix lecture and other one-way methods. This, of course, doesn’t mean we never provide biblical content. Small groups need a context for discussion with the Word central to that. But, as facilitators, we do not dominate the time. Giving assignments for members to do some outside reading and study can minimize some of the need to “inform” when meeting.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong> To foster community wherein members sense that they are in this together, united, we must encourage total participation.<\/p>\n

Discussion leads the way in small groups as a means of learning from one another, but if we aren’t careful, dominate personalities can take over the discussion. For help avoiding that so as not to stifle total participation, check out: In Facilitating a Discussion, Everyone’s Contribution is Valuable Worksheet<\/a><\/p>\n

The types of materials used for study should promote maximum participation. DVD studies can be good for getting content out but should then be followed by discussion. Community will not be fostered if minimal time remains for interaction.<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> To focus on cultivating spiritual growth, discipleship, we must emphasize the application of what has been learned.<\/p>\n

Keep the collaboration and community aspects of small group learning pointed toward this long-range goal. Small group Bible studies must be more than a sharing of personal opinions or a social time. If they don’t lead to changed lives, the building of fully devoted followers of Jesus, then the collaboration and community hasn’t been built around the foundation of His Word and the presence of His Spirit at work in and through group members. Promote this focus by guiding the group to …<\/p>\n

Pray for one another<\/em> about their struggles and temptations but also pray similar to Colossians 1:9-10. — “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God …”<\/p>\n

Hold one another accountable<\/em>, remembering that “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). This takes being open and honest with each other (James 5:16; Col. 3:9), recognizing that we need each other in the growth process. — “As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ . . . If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Cor. 12:20-21, 26)<\/p>\n

Following up with each other<\/em> outside of group time becomes integral to spurring one another on (Heb. 10:24). A simple text, e-mail, or phone call may be all that’s needed to provide encouragement, though sometimes a more prolonged interaction, perhaps in-person, may be essential. As group members become more and more “devoted to one another in love” (Rom. 12:10a), their willingness to get involved in each other’s lives outside of group time will increase.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If we take time to reflect on the potential of small groups, we’ll soon arrive at some goals for our teaching. Those goals will then steer us to a small group Bible study teacher’s methods and materials. What methodology will best accomplish our goals so we can maximize the potential for learning in this size group? . . . Continue reading A Small Group Bible Study Teacher’s Methods and Materials<\/span>→<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-small-group"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t