What is a Group Bible Study?

WHAT IS A GROUP?
Group is more than a collection of individuals.
A group may be defined as two or more people acting
interdependantly in a unified manner towards the achievement of
a common goal.
In a group the members share common concerns or exchange
ideas/ feelings and get to know each other.
Thus the group members are attracted to each other by some
social bond.

WHAT IS A GBS?
A GBS may be defined as two or more people search and
study the Scriptures interdependantly to know God for the
transformation of life.

WHY GBS?
God made us interdependant Genesis 2: 18, Romans 12: 3-8
Felloship is for growth Ephesians 3: 18-19
GBS has a biblical basis Deuteronomy 6: 7, Ezra 7:10,
Nehemaiah 8: 3, Acts 8: 30 [Malachi 3:16]

ADVANTAGES OF A GBS

A collective effort ignites motivation.

Learn to study the Scriptures systematically
Gives an opportunity to every one to participate
Provides an opportunity to learn from others
Paves the way for transparant relationships
Creates confidence in new members to speak in the public
Right place to discuss religious issues
A thought provoking process
A means to clear the mental blocks for accepting Christ
Creates passion in the members to search the Scriptures for themselves

GBS IS OF 2 TYPES

DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER

EBS Evangelistic Bible Study

BBS Believers Bible Study

Purpose
Content
Style
Approach
Application

2 STEPS IN GBS...
The Preparation

The Presentation

The ladder of preparation

ORGANISING THE QUESTIONS
CONVERTING NOTES INTO QUESTIONS
PREPARING THE NOTES
STUDYING THE TEXT
CHOOSING THE TEXT/ TOPIC
DERIVING THE PURPOSE
FINDING THE FOCAL POINT
UNDERSTANDING THE TARGET GROUP

Ladder of Preparation

Ladder of Preparation

Understanding the Target Group

Cultural
Background
[Value System]

Finding the Focal Point

Educational
Background
[Mental Makeup]

Needs of the group

Trends of the group

Beliefs of the group

Present day problems group often

face

Religious
Background
[Belief System]

Social
Background
[Trends/Habits]

Disagreements/Doubts of the group

Spiritual Hunger of the group

how to finalise the issue/topic ?

Is the issue appropriate for audience?

Is the issue appropriate for you?
Is the issue appropriate for the occasion?

how to write the purpose statement ?

[DERIVING THE PURPOSE]

State your purpose clearly and completely.

State your purpose in terms of the effect you

want to have on your audience.

Limit your purpose statement to one idiea.

FOCAL POINT

PURPOSE

General
Issue to be focussed
Subject to be dealt with
Gives the content

Eg#1 TEMPTATIONS
Eg#2 LOVE

Specific
Lesson to be taught
Application to impress upon
Gives the direction

HOW TO HANDLE THEM

TO MAKE KNOW WHAT IS LOVE

Ladder of Preparation
Choosing the Text

You can choose the text basiing on the focal point (issue).
The text can be a passage or a book of the Bible.
If it is a topical Bible Study you can choose the passages/ verses selectively.
Use the concordance to arrive at a particular text/ passage.
Choose the text according to the spiritual/ mental maturity of the group

Ladder of Preparation
READING

Read the Text prayerfully

Read the Text thoughtfully
Read the Text imaginatively
Read the Text meditatively
Read the Text patiently
Read the Text repeatedly
Read the Text selectively
Read the Text purposefully
Read the Text sensitively

Studying the Text

Read the text to understand the passage

Read the text for key words
Read the text for key verses
Read the text for the dominating theme
Read the text to find out the insights that support the theme

Ladder of Preparation
Preparing the Notes

Matthew 20 : 20-28
Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and
desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant
that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy
kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the
cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say
unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is
not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the
ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them
unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and
they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but
whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief
among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but
to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 1(Footnotes)
20

1The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Mt 20:20-28). Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA

Observation & questions

Observation:
Question:
Observation:
Question:
Observation:

The main characters are Jesus, the mother, her two sons and other ten disciples
Who are the main characters in this passage?
The mother asks Jesus to allow her two sons to sit on this right and left in his kingdom
What favour does the mother ask Jesus?
Jesus state that the Gentiles define greatness as having others serve you. He defines greatness as
you serving others.
What definitions of greatness does Jesus give in this passage?

Question:

interpretation & questions

Interpretation:

The seats on the right and left of a host were positions of honour. the two sons wanted the
second and third highest positions in the kingdom.
What would be the significance of sitting on Jesus right and left hand in His kingdom?
Jesus used the cup as a metaphor for suffering, especially the suffering which leads to death.
Jesus would die, as would the two sons as a result of their close following of Him.
What is the cup from which Jesus and the two sons will drink?
The ten disciples were indignant because JDAOwanted the highest positions in the kingdom but
the two sons had tried to get to Jesus first.
Why do you think the ten disciples were indignant toward the other two?

Question:
Interpretation:
Question:
Interpretation:
Question:

application & questions

Application:

This passage should begin to affect the way I treat my family, the people at work and those
who live around me. For example, at home I should be more willing to do those jobs which no
one else likes to do, such as washing dishes and carrying out the trash.
How can you serve those around you in your family, at work/ school, in society?
I should begin cultivating the attitude of a servant this week. I will volunteer to do the dinner
dishes at least twice this week.
What specific act of service can you do for someone this week?
If I demonstrate a willingness to do menial task, others might start giving me the jobs that no
one else wants to do. They might take unfair advantage of me, just as I have previously taken
unfair advantage of others.
If you seek to become a servant to others what difficulties might you encounter?

Question:
Application:
Question:
Application:
Question:

ROMANS 12: 1-3

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberlya, according as God hath dealt to every man
the measure of faith1(Footnotes)
1

1The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Ro 12:1-3). Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA

I beseech you therefore, brethren, /

by the mercies of God, /
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, /
holy, acceptable unto God, /
which is your reasonable service. 2 /
And be not conformed to this world: /
but be ye transformed /
by the renewing of your mind, /
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 /
For I say, through the grace given unto me, /
to every man that is among you, /
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; /
but to think soberlya, /
1

according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith1(Footnotes)

1The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Ro 12:1-3). Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA

Ladder of Preparation
Framing the Questions

Types of Questions

Approach QuestionA question that is asked at the beginning of the study before the passage is read.
It helps the group members to warm up to each other.
It helps the group thinking along the lines of the topic
Observation QuestionA question based on the observation of the text.
A good observation question should cause the group to search the passage and its context
It should not be simple or superficial
Interpretation QuestionA question based on the interpretation/meaning of the passage.
Be sure your question allows the group the freedom to arrive at their own interpretations,
even if their views differ from yours.
It should help the group to think deep.
Application QuestionA question that leads to the application of the meaning of the passage.
It helps the group to apply the truths through careful reflection and prayer. This involves the
change in their attitudes, relationships and actions.
It should be flexible enough to allow the main idea of the passage to be applied in a variety of ways.
Overview & Summary QuestionsA OQ helps the group to view a passage or book as a whole before they
study its parts.
A SQ helps to draw together the main points of a passage or book after they have been studied.
Combination QuestionA combination of observation & interpretation or interpretation & application
questions.

Ladder of Preparation
Organising the Questions

Organising the Questions

Aim of the Bible Study
Introduction
Context of the Passage
Approach Question
Reading the Passage

Observation Question
Observation Question
Observation Question
Interpretation Question
Interpretation Question
Interpretation Question
Application Question
Application Question

Observation Question
Interpretation Question
Combination Observation/
Interpretation Question
Application Question
Observation Question
Interpretation Question
Application Question
Combination Observation/
Interpretation Question
Interpretation Question
Interpretation Question
Application Question
Summary Question

Evaluating your Questions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Your Q should be clear. If not try rewording.

Your Q should not be too long or complex.
Your Q should generate discussion.
Your Q should cause the group to search the text.
Your Q should move the group through the passage in a logical sequence.
The Qs should draw out and apply the main points of the passage.
The Qs usually be related to one passage.
Yours Qs should be limited for the time alloted.
Your Qs should not insult the intelligence of the group.
Your Qs should not be close ended questions.

PROBLEM

SOLUTION

If one dominates the discussion

Pose questions to others

Speak to that person personally

If the answer is wrong

Ask for the reference

If there arise a controversy

Let the group members share their ideas freely

If the discussion deviates

Turn the members focus to the text

If some dont like the GBS method

Explain the advantages and importance of GBS

What is Group Dynamics?

Dynamics
= All the forces that are at work in any activity
Group Dynamics = The factors that contribute to a group discussion for effective Bible Study
Principles of Good Leadership
1. Your attitudebe open and relaxed.
2. Explain the nature of the GBS
3. Let the Bible speak for itself.
4. Make the intro catchy and contemporary.
5. Express the question in a natural manner.
6. Deviate if you face a relevant question from the group.
7. Avoid answering your questions.
8. Dont be afraid of silence.
9. Dont be content with just one answer.
10. Be affirming!
11. Be willing admit your own ignorance.
12. Be prepared for proble doubts/ questions.
13. Be sure to start on time and end on time.